A Case of Fascioliasis in the Common Bile Duct

Paik, Jae Won; Choi, Chang Soo; Choi, Young Kil

Abstract

Fasciola hepatica is frequently found in the Sheep and cattle-rearing countries of the world. Human infestation of the biliary tract is due to accidental ingesticn of watercress contarninated with encysted metacercariae of the worm. In Korea, hiliary fascioliasIs is known to be very rare, and only a few cases have been reported so far. The Authors expeiienced a patient who complained of intermittent right upper quadrant abdominal pain, anorexia, and loose stool for three months, and whose symptoms were suddenly aggravated two days before admision. The patient was a 37 year old, housewife a resident of Pusan, Korea. Ultrasonograrn of the abdomen showed a gallbladder stane and dilatation of the common bile duct. ERCP showed filling defects in the cornmon bile duct. Two complete worms of Fasciola hepatica were removed during the bile duct exploration with stone forceps. This is the 15th human fascioliasis and fiftli case found in the common bile duct in Korea. The parasitological findings of this case were desci ibed.