Subcutaneous Postauricular Filariasis in an Adult Male: An Extremely Rare Presentation

Filariasis continues to be a significant public health problem and its parasites affect the lives of millions of people, especially those living in tropical countries, like India. It is caused primarily by Wuchereria bancrofti (90%) and in some cases by Brugia malayi and timori (10%). Even though filariasis is highly prevalent in the endemic regions, it is rarely reported from the extra lymphatic sites. Here, we are reporting the case of a 20 year-old male who presented with a left-sided post-auricular subcutaneous nodular swelling of size 3 cm × 2 cm for the past 6 months. Routine blood investigations and peripheral blood smear examinations were reported as normal. Fine needle aspiration cytology from the lesion revealed microfilaria of Wuchereria bancrofti. This case report highlights the chances of finding microfilaria from an unusual site. In the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous nodular swellings, the possibility of filariasis must be kept in mind, and a careful search should be done for microfilaria in the aspiration smears done for an accurate diagnosis.