Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Surgical Treatment of an Endolymphatic Sac Tumor
Published on: May 26, 2023
An unusual cause of pre-auricular swelling
A T Harris1, I Bhatti, Y Bajaj
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, UK. andrew.harris@doctors.org.uk
Objective:
To present an interesting cause of pre-auricular swelling.
Case Report:
We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented to the ENT department as an emergency with swelling in the left pre-auricular region. The patient had recently travelled to Central America, where the botfly is endemic. On examination, there was a raised, indurated area with a central orifice. A botfly larva was suspected. The larva was suffocated with paraffin paste, allowing removal without remnants being retained.
Conclusion:
Suffocation of botfly larvae is favoured to surgical removal, due to the possibility of larval remnants being retained and acting as a nidus for infection. The increasing frequency of exotic travel means doctors need to be more aware of tropical medicine.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings II: Auscultation
Abnormal Heart Sounds
Gallops:
Cardiovascular System Abnormal Findings I: Inspection and Palpation
Abnormal findings observed during an inspection
Cerebral Edema l: Introduction
ECG Interpretation of Arrhythmias II: Atrial, Junctional and Ventricular Arrhythmias
Dysrhythmias II: Classification of Tachyarrhythmias
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction