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Obstructive jaundice due to Fasciola hepatica
A Kumar1, A Gautam, S Chaturvedi
1Department of Surgery, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.
Summary
A rare case of obstructive jaundice in a middle-aged woman was caused by liver abscesses due to Fasciola hepatica infection, a parasitic liver fluke. This highlights the importance of considering parasitic causes in complex biliary obstruction cases.
Area of Science:
- Hepatology
- Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Obstructive jaundice is a significant clinical presentation requiring thorough etiological investigation.
- Pyogenic liver abscesses and choledocholithiasis are common causes of biliary obstruction.
Observation:
- A middle-aged woman presented with a 6-month history of obstructive jaundice.
- Radiological imaging suggested multiple pyogenic liver abscesses and possible choledocholithiasis.
Findings:
- Surgical exploration of the common bile duct identified Fasciola hepatica as the causative agent.
- This parasitic infection was the underlying reason for the patient's biliary obstruction and abscess formation.
Implications:
- This case underscores the necessity of including parasitic infections, such as fascioliasis, in the differential diagnosis of obstructive jaundice, even with apparent bacterial causes.
- Rare presentations of Fasciola hepatica infection emphasize the need for broader diagnostic considerations in clinical practice.