Gallbladder ascariasis: presentation and management

Abstract

Gallbladder ascariasis is a significant entity in endemic areas which usually requires cholecystectomy.

Hepatobiliary ascariasis

“…History of worm infestation associated with symptoms related to the biliary tract system should strongly raise the suspicion of HBA. 4 USG is highly sensitive and specific. 5,6 Visualising the worm and ascertaining its motility is diagnostic.…”

Successful Elimination of Ascaris lumbricoides from the Gallbladder by Conservative Medical Therapy

“…Infestation of the gallbladder with Ascaris lumbricoides may result in severe complications such as empyema, pericholecystic abscess, and sepsis [4,6]. The worm can enter the biliary tree from the duodenum and causes variable symptoms such as biliary colic and obstructive jaundice [1,2].…”

“…Therefore, patients are usually treated by endoscopy or surgery. Javid et al reported [6] that only 10 of 47 patients expelled the worm spontaneously, while 37 required surgical treatment. After the worms migrate out of the biliary tree into the duodenum, the antihelminthic drugs can act upon them [3].…”

“…Gallbladder involvement is very rare; it accounts for 2.1 % of all biliary tract ascariasis cases [4]. Ultrasonography (US) is the most commonly used diagnostic modality for this pathology [4][5][6]. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are also useful [1,2].…”

Gallbladder Ascariasis : A Rare Case

“…Safra kesesinde yerleşmiş askaris, antiparazitik ilaçların %1'inden azının safra yolu ile atılması nedeni ile medikal tedaviye çok zayıf yanıt verir [5]. Konservatif tedavi; ölü askaris bulunması, birlikte taş varlığı veya askarisin duodenuma dönüşünü engelleyen internal yapısı nedeni ile sıklıkla başarısız olur [6].…”