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Enterobius vermicularis Infestation Mimicking Rectal Malignancy
Ozan Akıncı1, Nuray Kepil2, Yusuf Ziya Erzin3
1Hakkari State Hospital, Clinic of General Surgery, Hakkari, Turkey
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi
|March 27, 2020
Summary
Enterobius vermicularis, a common pinworm, can cause rectal polypoid lesions that mimic cancer. Diagnosis confirmed the presence of pinworms and eggs, not malignancy, in a patient with a history of colon adenocarcinoma.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Pathology
Background:
- Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) is a common human intestinal nematode.
- Pinworm infections are typically considered benign but can present with unusual symptoms.
Observation:
- A 66-year-old female patient, post-sigmoid colon adenocarcinoma surgery, presented with a rectal polypoid lesion.
- The lesion mimicked malignancy on initial examination.
Findings:
- Histopathological examination revealed adult Enterobius vermicularis nematodes and eggs within the lesion.
- No evidence of malignancy was found; the lesion was characterized by non-necrotizing granuloma tissue.
Implications:
- This case highlights that Enterobius vermicularis infestation can lead to rectal lesions resembling tumors.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial, especially in patients with a history of colorectal cancer, to avoid unnecessary aggressive treatment.
- Enterobiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rectal polypoid lesions.
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