Open Access“Worm within worm”: acute appendicitis containing an adult Ascaris lumbricoïdes
Author(s) -
Ibrahima Niang,
Coumba Khadija Dieng,
Papa Malick Dibor Diouf,
Cheikh Tacko Diop,
Ibrahima Bocar Wellé,
Abdourahmane Ndong,
Serigne Ahma Mbacké Dia,
Papa Balla Sarr,
Ousmane Ndiaye,
Richard Bazogo Sinake,
Aïssatou Bâ
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
bjr case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2055-7159
DOI - 10.1259/bjrcr.20210035
Subject(s) - appendicitis , appendix , ascariasis , medicine , perforation , lumen (anatomy) , abdominal pain , etiology , acute appendicitis , surgical emergency , pathological , ascaris , helminths , general surgery , radiology , surgery , pathology , biology , immunology , paleontology , punching , materials science , metallurgy
Appendicitis is the first etiology for abdominal surgical emergency. Ascariasis is the most common helminth infection in tropical countries where it is endemic. The ability of intestinal helminths to wander through the digestive system means that it can end up in the appendix lumen and lead to appendicitis by luminal obstruction. However, this presentation is still rarely described in the literature. In fact, most of the diagnoses of roundworm associated with appendicitis are made retrospectively by the discovery of its eggs on the pathological examination of an appendectomy specimen. We report the case of a 7-year-old patient living in a tropical area who consulted for acute right lower quadrant pain. The ultrasound suspected the diagnosis of appendicitis and also revealed multiple intestinal worms including one in contact with the inflamed appendix. Surgical exploration confirmed appendicitis associated with roundworm partly in the appendicular lumen through a perforation.