A Case of Small Bowel Obstruction and Perforation by Anisakiasis

ABSTRACT

Anisakiasis is a disease that often occurs after the ingestion of raw marine fish infected with nematodes of the Anisakis genus. Ingested Anisakis causes a variety of symptoms, including abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, when they invade the gastric wall. Although invasion of the gastric wall is common, rare cases of Anisakis invading the small bowel have been reported. These rare cases have resulted in small bowel obstruction and perforation and usually require surgical treatment. A 57-year-old man visited the emergency room suffering from abdominal pain and distension. He ate raw marine fish three days prior and suffered from epigastrium pain a day after this meal. X-ray and computed tomography showed small bowel obstruction without adhesion and required an operation for treatment. A laparotomy revealed dilated and congested jejunum and ileum with perforated distal ileum. We found a small thin long worm, confirmed by histopathology as a member of Anisakis. The patient was discharged after surgery without any complication.