A REPORTED CASE OF PULMONARY SPARGANOSIS : RADIOLOGICAL ASPECT AND REVIEW OF ARTICLES.

Abstract

Human sparganosis is a rare parasitic infestation caused by the migratory second stage larvae (plerocercoid) of the Pseudophyllidean cestode of genus Spirometra (Mueller, 1973). The first report of human sparganosis was made by Patrick Manson in a Chinese patient in 1882 (Beaver, 1984). The distribution of the cases was sporadically worldwide, but most commonly from East and Southeast Asia (Japan, China, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam and Thailand). There were some reports from the Southern part of the United States and Europe (Mueller et al, 1975). Sparganosis was commonly reported to involve subcutaneous tissue, muscle, ocular and visceral organs including the central nervous system. Pulmonary involvement is extremely rare. A case of pulmonary sparganosis was presented with chronic hemoptysis and abnormal lung shadows. The diagnosis could not be made by radiological image and bronchoscopic examination. The patient received an antituberculous drug without response. Finally the diagnosis was confirmed by open lung biopsy which the plerocercoid larvae of sparganum was found.