Sparganosis presenting as a lateral neck mass

Cervical sparganosis is rare, and its rarity makes it difficult to be distinguished from tumors. A case of cervical sparganosis is reported.

An 80-year-old man was initially seen with a painless lateral neck mass for 3 months, which was initially diagnosed as cervical lymphadenopathy. Laboratory studies revealed eosinophilia, and the patient recalled that he had frequently taken mountain water. Serologic study of human sparganosis by a monoclonal antibody-based competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was positive. Surgical excision was performed, and the sparganosis was confirmed by histologic examination.

Sparganosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue tumors, especially among patients who have frequently ingested mountain water and consumed raw snakes or frogs.