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Case report: A suspected case of chronic pulmonary sparganosis characterized by migrating cavities and tunnel sign

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: A 20-year-old male patient with a 15-month history of recurrent cough and hemoptysis presented at our hospital with suspected pulmonary sparganosis. Computed Tomography (CT) revealed migratory and variable lesions ranging from patchy shadows to nodular and cavernous foci. Additionally, the location and morphology of the cavities changed rapidly. The patient's peripheral blood eosinophil count remained within the normal range throughout the course of the infection, and antibiotics (moxifloxacin) alleviated the symptoms. At the early stage of admission, there was a slight increase in neutrophil and basophil counts. Initial treatment with a standard dose of praziquantel led to a significant improvement in symptoms, but the symptoms soon relapsed. However, doubling the dose 4 months later eventually cured the disease. The migratory nature of the CT lesion and the presence of tunnel signs were key to diagnosing a parasitic infection. The variability and rapid changes in the lesion further facilitated the differentiation of the disease, which rarely manifests as a granulomatous cavity.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine

DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2024.1453043

Authors: Zhongfeng Niu, Lujiao Chen, Yanhua Zhang, Li Zhao

Institutions: Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University, Shaoxing People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic infections in humans and animals

Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,295