A rare case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis with nodules mimicking malignancy: approach to diagnosis and treatment.
J Cardiothorac Surg
; 13(1): 65, 2018 Jun 11.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29891007
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Human pulmonary dirofilariasis is a rare zoonosis caused by the dog worm Dirofilaria spp., a parasite transmitted by mosquitos and resulting in peripheral lung nodules. The filarial nematode enters the subcutaneous tissue, travels to the right ventricle and dies causing a small pulmonary infarction that may embolize through the pulmonary vessels and may appear as a solitary nodule. These nodules are usually incidentally identified in asymptomatic patients undergoing chest imaging studies, and are generally interpreted to be malignant. CASE PRESENTATION We present the case report of a human dirofilariasis in a patient with multiple pulmonary nodules resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). According to our literature review, this is the first case with double synchronous lung nodules reported in Italy.CONCLUSIONS:
Minimally invasive resection with histologic examination may be the best approach for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary dirofilariasis. Polymerase Chain Reaction testing may provide a more accurate etiological diagnosis in case of an inconclusive pathology result.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Asunto principal:
Dirofilariasis
/
Nódulos Pulmonares Múltiples
/
Enfermedades Pulmonares Parasitarias
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Cardiothorac Surg
Año:
2018
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Italia