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Leech infestation: the unusual cause of upper airway obstruction

Demeke Mekonnen1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, College of Public Health and Medical Sciences, Jimma University. demeke.mekonnen@ju.edu.et

Ethiopian Journal of Health Sciences
|April 6, 2013
PubMed

Insights

A child presented with bleeding and breathing difficulty due to a leech in the airway. Prompt removal of the foreign body was successful, highlighting the need for vigilance in similar pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Medical Parasitology

Background:

  • Upper airway obstruction in children can stem from various causes, including foreign body aspiration.
  • Unexplained oral bleeding and respiratory distress warrant thorough investigation for rare etiologies.

Observation:

  • A 7-year-old child exhibited a 14-day history of blood-stained saliva and 3 days of shortness of breath.
  • Physical examination revealed signs suggestive of upper airway obstruction.

Findings:

  • Laryngoscopy identified a living, blackish foreign body, later confirmed as a leech, lodged in the proximal trachea.
  • Surgical removal of the leech under general anesthesia using forceps was successfully performed.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering leech infestation in children with unexplained hemoptysis and airway compromise.
  • Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for managing life-threatening airway obstructions caused by endoparasites.

Keywords:
Foreign bodyLeechTracheaupper airway obstruction

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