Korean J Parasitol.  2019 Apr;57(2):175-177. 10.3347/kjp.2019.57.2.175.

A Case of Unexpected Clinostomum complanatum Infection Initially Presenting as Foreign Body in Pharynx

• Kim H
• Cho SW
• Oh H
• Byeon HK

• KMID: 2448149
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2019.57.2.175

Abstract

A 46-year old man visited our outpatient clinic with complaint of foreign body sensation in throat after consuming raw freshwater fish 5 days ago. Laryngoscopic examination revealed a motile worm attached on posterior pharyngeal wall. The worm was removed using biopsy forceps under transnasal endoscopy and evidently identified as Clinostomum complanatum after microscopic examination. Patient's subjective foreign body sensation of throat and hyperemia of laryngeal mucosa remained for approximately 2 weeks post-removal, which were eventually resolved after administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and anti-refluxant drug for 2 weeks. Treatment was ended at three weeks since the first visit. C. complanatum infections in humans are rare, and only four cases have been reported in Korea. Symptoms resembling pharyngitis or laryngitis occurs by consumption of raw, infected freshwater fish and treatment is done by mechanically removing the parasite.

Keyword

Clinostomum complanatum; human case; raw freshwater fish; laryngopharyngitis

MeSH Terms

Ambulatory Care Facilities
Biopsy
Endoscopy
Foreign Bodies*
Fresh Water
Humans
Hyperemia
Korea
Laryngeal Mucosa
Laryngitis
Parasites
Pharyngitis
Pharynx*
Sensation
Surgical Instruments