Paragonimus kellicotti Presenting With Hemoptysis and a Left Upper Lobe Mass

A 46-year-old man presented to the thoracic surgery clinic with a 6-month history of cough and hemoptysis refractory to treatment. Examination of specimens from repeated biopsies was nondiagnostic, so the patient underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic left upper lobe wedge resection. Pathologic examination revealed Paragonimus organisms, and the patient was prescribed praziquantel, with resolution of his symptoms. Although Paragonimus infections are common in Asia, they are rare in the United States despite P kellicotti being endemic. Clinicians should have a high index of suspicion for patients presenting with unusual lung symptoms in endemic areas to avoid prolonged evaluations with potentially unnecessary diagnostic modalities.