Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report
Abstract Background Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a parasitic zoonosis commonly described in Canidae but rarely seen in humans. Most physicians are unfamiliar with this disease, especially in nonendemic areas, which can lead to medication error and diagnostic and treatment delay. To the best of our...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04242-z |
| _version_ | 1827382204309700608 |
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| author | Scott Klerkx Caroline Venstermans |
| author_facet | Scott Klerkx Caroline Venstermans |
| author_sort | Scott Klerkx |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a parasitic zoonosis commonly described in Canidae but rarely seen in humans. Most physicians are unfamiliar with this disease, especially in nonendemic areas, which can lead to medication error and diagnostic and treatment delay. To the best of our knowledge, no previous case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis preoperatively diagnosed on ultrasound has been described in Western Europe. Case presentation A 25-year-old Belgian male patient presented with a subcutaneous nodule in the epigastric region. Ultrasound investigation showed a typical cystic lesion with an internal serpiginous structure with echogenic lines, and there was active twirling movement of this serpentine structure during investigation, pathognomonic for subcutaneous dirofilariasis. Surgical extirpation was performed, and the diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed. Conclusion Subcutaneous dirofilariasis has a characteristic appearance on ultrasound but is not well known in nonendemic areas, often leading to diagnostic delay and initial incorrect treatment. More knowledge of this disease and of its characteristic ultrasound appearance will hopefully lead to better patient care. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:16:11Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7aba48f38db84c96aae2b9b5a2269cc7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1752-1947 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T14:16:11Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Medical Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-7aba48f38db84c96aae2b9b5a2269cc72024-01-14T12:24:31ZengBMCJournal of Medical Case Reports1752-19472024-01-011811310.1186/s13256-023-04242-zSubcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case reportScott Klerkx0Caroline Venstermans1Department of Imaging & Pathology, GZA Hospitals Sint-AugustinusDepartment of Imaging & Pathology, GZA Hospitals Sint-AugustinusAbstract Background Subcutaneous dirofilariasis is a parasitic zoonosis commonly described in Canidae but rarely seen in humans. Most physicians are unfamiliar with this disease, especially in nonendemic areas, which can lead to medication error and diagnostic and treatment delay. To the best of our knowledge, no previous case of subcutaneous dirofilariasis preoperatively diagnosed on ultrasound has been described in Western Europe. Case presentation A 25-year-old Belgian male patient presented with a subcutaneous nodule in the epigastric region. Ultrasound investigation showed a typical cystic lesion with an internal serpiginous structure with echogenic lines, and there was active twirling movement of this serpentine structure during investigation, pathognomonic for subcutaneous dirofilariasis. Surgical extirpation was performed, and the diagnosis was histopathologically confirmed. Conclusion Subcutaneous dirofilariasis has a characteristic appearance on ultrasound but is not well known in nonendemic areas, often leading to diagnostic delay and initial incorrect treatment. More knowledge of this disease and of its characteristic ultrasound appearance will hopefully lead to better patient care.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04242-zSubcutaneous dirofilariasisDirofilaria repensUltrasoundCase report |
| spellingShingle | Scott Klerkx Caroline Venstermans Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report Journal of Medical Case Reports Subcutaneous dirofilariasis Dirofilaria repens Ultrasound Case report |
| title | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report |
| title_full | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report |
| title_fullStr | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report |
| title_short | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25-year-old male patient in Belgium on ultrasonography: a case report |
| title_sort | subcutaneous dirofilariasis in a 25 year old male patient in belgium on ultrasonography a case report |
| topic | Subcutaneous dirofilariasis Dirofilaria repens Ultrasound Case report |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13256-023-04242-z |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT scottklerkx subcutaneousdirofilariasisina25yearoldmalepatientinbelgiumonultrasonographyacasereport AT carolinevenstermans subcutaneousdirofilariasisina25yearoldmalepatientinbelgiumonultrasonographyacasereport |