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Appendiceal ascariasis in children

Imtiaz Wani1, Muddasir Maqbool, Abid Amin

  • 1Department of Surgery, SMHS Hospital, Srinagar, Kashmir, 190 009, India. imtazwami@gmail.com

Annals of Saudi Medicine
|January 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ascaris lumbricoides worms in the appendix are usually asymptomatic. In a study of appendiceal ascariasis, most cases were incidental findings, with only a minority developing Ascaris-associated appendicitis.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery

Background:

  • Ascaris lumbricoides migration can cause abdominal surgical complications.
  • Wandering Ascaris lumbricoides may reach the vermiform appendix, leading to silent or pathological presentations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the occurrence and clinical significance of ascariasis within the vermiform appendix, specifically focusing on Ascaris-associated appendicitis.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of children with appendiceal ascariasis identified during surgery for intestinal complications over three years.
  • Analysis of the relationship between Ascaris lumbricoides presence and the vermiform appendix.
  • No preoperative diagnosis of appendiceal ascariasis was made.

Main Results:

  • Eleven patients with appendiceal ascariasis were identified.
  • In 8/11 (72.7%) patients, Ascaris was found in the appendix without appendicitis.
  • Three patients (27.2%) presented with Ascaris-associated appendicitis. Worms typically oriented head-to-base and tail-to-tip within the appendix.

Conclusions:

  • Appendiceal ascariasis due to Ascaris lumbricoides migration is often an incidental finding.
  • The presence of Ascaris in the appendix usually follows a silent clinical course.
  • Ascaris-induced appendicitis is a rare complication.
Abstract

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