A Case of Biliary Ascariasis in Korea.

Biliary ascariasis is still the leading cause of surgical complication of ascariasis, though its incidence has been dramatically reduced. Herein, we report a case of biliary ascariasis for the purpose of enhancing awareness of parasitic infections as a possible cause. A 72-year-old male visited the emergency room of Dankook University Hospital on 12 July 2015, complaining of right-upper-quadrant pain. By endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a tubular filling defect in the right hepatic duct was detected. The defect was endoscopically removed and diagnosed as an adult female of Ascaris lumbricoides worm, of 30 cm length. Upon removal of the worm, the pain subsided, and the patient was discharged without any complication. When treating cases of biliary colic, physicians should not neglect biliary ascariasis as the possible cause.

Acute pancreatitis due to ascariasis: a sonographic pictorial essay on four cases.

Ascariasis is the commonest helminthic disease to infect humans. Due to their wandering nature, the roundworms from the second part of the duodenum migrate through the biliary opening into the hepatobiliary and pancreatic ducts. Ascariasis is the most common parasitic cause of pancreatitis in endemic region. Pancreatitis can result due to pancreatic ascariasis, biliary ascariasis or both. Pancreatitis due to ascariasis can be severe and life-threatening. We present a pictorial essay of acute pancreatitis due to ascariasis on four cases.

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis-sonographic pictorial essay on four pediatric cases with acute biliary colic.

Hepatobiliary and pancreatic ascariasis occur due to migration of the round worm ascaris lumbricoides through the bile duct orifice finally reaching the common bile duct, main pancreatic duct, intrahepatic ducts or gallbladder. These resulted in acute epigastric and right hypochondriac region colicky pain. Ultrasound is the investigation of choice in hepatobiliary ascariasis. We present here sonographic images on four pediatric patients with acute biliary colic.

Esophageal Ascariasis with Retrosternal Chest Discomfort.

Ascariasis is one of the most well known helminthic parasite affecting humans. Esophageal asacariasis is extremely rare. We present a case of esophageal ascariasis manifesting as retrosternal chest discomfort.

Ultrasonographic demonstration of inner tube sign: a tropical dilemma.

INTRODUCTION: Ultrasonographic demonstration of intra biliary parallel lines or "inner tube sign" is considered diagnostic for biliary ascariasis in regions where ascariasis is endemic. PATIENTS & METHODS: 148 patients with inner tube sign on ultrasonography were evaluated. In most, diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonographic demonstration of restitution of normal appearance of bile duct with passage of round worms in vomitus or faeces. RESULTS: Diagnosis was confirmed in 122 of 148 patients. 26 patients were lost to follow-up. Biliary ascariasis was responsible for the sign "parallel lines" in 113 patients. Of the remaining, intrabiliary stents were responsible for the "inner tube sign" in six whereas in three it was due to hydatid membranes following intrabiliary rupture of hydatid cyst. CONCLUSION: Biliary ascariasis is the commonest cause of inner tube sign in the tropics. However, this sign can also be produced by biliary stents and hydatid membranes. Awareness of these possibilities is essential for sonologists in the tropics.

Sonographic diagnosis of ascariasis causing small bowel obstruction.

Acute right lower quadrant pain is a common, but nonspecific presenting symptom of a wide variety of diseases in children. Sonography (US) can play a significant role in the accurate and early diagnosis of right lower quadrant pain. In this article, we report a case of small bowel obstruction due to intestinal ascariasis diagnosed at bedside US and confirmed by MRI and describe a new US sign of intestinal ascariasis.

Ascariasis presenting as acute abdomen during pregnancy and puerperium.

Ascariasis can have various clinical presentations. We present three cases of ascariasis in pregnant or postpartum women, presenting with acute abdomen. The diagnosis of ascariasis was made clinically with the passage of ascaris worms in the vomitus or stool and was supported by ultrasonography. All three patients were treated successfully using anthelmintics. One patient underwent exploratory laparotomy.

Gall Bladder Ascariasis: A Rare Entity.

Gall bladder ascariasis is a rare entity accounting for only 2.1% of biliary ascariasis features due to anatomical features of the cystic duct. It usually presents with vague abdominal features. Ultrasonography is the most sensitive and useful investigation for its diagnosis. We present a case of gall bladder ascariasis in an antenatal young female patient showing features of cholecystitis. She was diagnosed by ultrasonography and managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy followed by oral anti-helminthic drugs. She made an uneventful recovery and is doing great in follow-up visits.

Overlooking the abdominal X-ray --the peril of ascariasis.

A young child presented with intermittent bowel obstruction. The abdominal X-ray was not closely examined, and a contrast study was performed that demonstrated multiple tubular filling defects indicative of worms. The patient was treated accordingly. Reviewing the abdominal X-ray demonstrated numerous serpigenous, tubular, soft-tissue densities in gas-filled bowel loops.

Ascariasis, a review.

Ascariasis no longer widespread within Europe and so experience in diagnosis and treatment is limited for many specialists. On the other hand, clinicians face increasing numbers of migrants from high prevalence countries and are therefore, challenged to update in this field of infectious diseases. Here we present imaging features and current knowledge of this infection.