Gallbladder Ascariasis: A case report

Jang, Gil Jin; Kim, Won Ho; Choi, Kwang Jun; Kang, Jin Kyung; Park, In Suh; Choi, Heung Jai; Kim, Myung Wook

Abstract

Migration of roundworms, Ascaris lumbricoies, into the biliary tract is a relatively common cause of biliary symptoms in endemic areas, but the number of reported gallbladder ascariasis was scanty even in these areas. Some diagnostic methods might provide suggestive informations, but there are no pathognomonic clinical features for biliary ascariasis, so it is discovered usually after surgical exploration, which is especially the case of gallbladder ascariasis. A young female patient with 4 months' history of right upper quadrant pain which did not respond to medical control and was aggravated recently, presented normal level of peripheral blood leukocyte count with no eosinophilia, normal liver function test, normal serum amylase level and subjectively no febrile sense. Abdominal ultrasonogram disclosed a long, thick, linear, non-motile echogenic structure, not accompanied by acoustic shadowing, within the gallbladder. The intra-and extra-hepatic bile ducts were not dilated and the pancreas was revealed as normal echogenecity and contoru. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed immediately thereafter, and it showed a thin linear filling defect in the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy was performed under the impression of gallbladder ascariasis. A mummified Ascaris lumbricoides was found in the lumen of the gallbladder. There was no stones and the histologic examination of the gallbladder revealed chronic cholecystitis.