Abdominal Mass Secondary to Human Toxocariasis

Abstract

Toxocariasis is an extensive helminthic infection that leads to visceral larva migrans in humans. A 2.5-year-old girl referred for abdominal mass. She had history of pharyngitis for two weeks. There were no other symptoms. Abdominal examination revealed an irregular solid mass in right lower quadrant (RLQ). Abdominal ultrasonography revealed an echohetrogenic large mass in RLQ, liver, and retroperitoneal area. Abdominal CT scan showed a huge mass. At laparotomy a large retroperitoneal mass that involved right liver lobe, bladder, ileocecal valve, small and large intestines was found. At histopathology diagnosis of toxocariasis was made.

Hepatic visceral larva migrans diagnosed clinically as cholangiolocarcinoma

“…More studies of the images of hepatic VLM are needed in order to decrease the number of misdiagnoses of this disease, especially in the world where annual routine health checkups are easily conducted. [11][12][13][14][15].…”

Toxocariasis in Children: An Update on Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Treatment

“…On computed tomography, hepatic lesions are typically illdefined, low attenuating nodules that have sometimes been confused with metastatic cancer. 14 Also, eosinophilic cholecystitis, 15 ascites, 16 and large bowel masses 17 were reported.…”

Imaging of toxocariasis

“…Worms may produce granulomatous reaction in the viscera, which can be recognized by US, MRI, or CT scans as masses within the abdomen [66]. These lesions are usually oval or elongated and are sometimes angulated or trapezoid rather than round, with ill-defined margins.…”