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A rare case of Dirofilaria repens infection

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 May 2013

C C Chan ,
M S Kermanshahi ,
B Mathew  and
R J England
C C Chan*
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
M S Kermanshahi
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
B Mathew
Affiliation:
Histology Department, Hull Royal Infirmary, UK
R J England
Affiliation:
ENT Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr C C Chan, ENT Department, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, UK Fax: 01482 624816 E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

This paper reports a case of Dirofilaria repens infection in a patient who presented with an anterolateral neck swelling. Dirofilaria repens infection of the neck region is rare even in countries where dirofilarial infestation is endemic. The diagnosis is made by identifying the worm in surgical or pathological specimens.

Case report:

A 47-year-old man presented with an 8-week history of non-tender, right-sided, lower anterolateral neck swelling and weight loss. An ultrasound scan showed a cystic lesion containing a living worm. The cyst was excised and the patient showed full recovery at follow up.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, there has been no previous report of an anterolateral neck swelling secondary to Dirofilaria repens infection in Europe. Our case is unusual because of the rarity of Dirofilaria repens presenting as a neck swelling.

Keywords

ParasiteDirofilariaInfectionInflammationThyroid SwellingUltrasoundNeck
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 6 , June 2013 , pp. 607 - 609
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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References

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