A Case of Candida Infection after Porous Polyethylene (Medpor(R)) Orbital Implantation

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a case of candida infection after Medpor(R) orbital implantation. METHODS: A 51-year-old man was admitted complaining of painful swelling and discharge about 3 years after orbital Medpor(R) implantation. External examination revealed signs of infection and exposure of the implant. Medpor(R) was surgically removed. In laboratory studies, white colony was detected in blood agar, potato dextrose agar, and CHROMagar. Automatic identification with yeast standard test revealed Candida parapsilosis. RESULTS: Six months after surgery, the wound had healed well. In addition, cosmesis was acceptable with the artificial eye, except mild superior sulcus deformity. CONCLUSIONS: Although rare, fungal infection of the implant should be suspected when there are the long standing signs of infection and exposure after orbital Medpor(R) implantation.