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  • Title: A rare case of human pulmonary dirofilariasis with nodules mimicking malignancy: approach to diagnosis and treatment.
    Author: Ferrari PA, Grisolia A, Reale S, Liotta R, Mularoni A, Bertani A.
    Journal: J Cardiothorac Surg; 2018 Jun 11; 13(1):65. PubMed ID: 29891007.
    Abstract:
    BACKGROUND: Human pulmonary dirofilariasis is a rare zoonosis caused by the dog worm Dirofilaria spp., a parasite transmitted by mosquitos and resulting in peripheral lung nodules. The filarial nematode enters the subcutaneous tissue, travels to the right ventricle and dies causing a small pulmonary infarction that may embolize through the pulmonary vessels and may appear as a solitary nodule. These nodules are usually incidentally identified in asymptomatic patients undergoing chest imaging studies, and are generally interpreted to be malignant. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case report of a human dirofilariasis in a patient with multiple pulmonary nodules resected using video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). According to our literature review, this is the first case with double synchronous lung nodules reported in Italy. CONCLUSIONS: Minimally invasive resection with histologic examination may be the best approach for the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary dirofilariasis. Polymerase Chain Reaction testing may provide a more accurate etiological diagnosis in case of an inconclusive pathology result.
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