ABSTRACT
The authors describe a case of appendicular oxyuriasis and then go on to review the international literature on this condition. Nothing in the case report provides the surgeon with useful pointers which may help him distinguish between appendicular oxyuriasis and common appendicitis. This is in line with all the existing literature which yields no elements capable of suggesting an accurate preoperative diagnosis. Only anamnestic evidence of previous oxyuriasis can help the clinician in this direction. It should be noted, however, that there are no significant differences in postoperative morbidity between "common" acute appendicitis and appendicitis due to oxyuriasis, when the parasitosis is adequately treated.
Subject(s)
Appendix , Cecal Diseases/etiology , Oxyuriasis/complications , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Appendectomy , Appendicitis/diagnosis , Cecal Diseases/diagnosis , Cecal Diseases/surgery , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Oxyuriasis/diagnosis , Oxyuriasis/surgery , Time FactorsABSTRACT
This is a review article concerning the surgical aspects of parasitic disease in childhood. The surgeon encounters parasitic disease for a variety of reasons. Many forms of infestation produce or mimic anatomic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Others are characterized by soft tissue or visceral mass lesions, lymphadenopathy, portal hypertension, etc. The surgical aspects of parasitism extend to all subspecialties, including ophthalmology, gynecology, and plastic surgery.