A Large Adnexal Tumor Caused by Enterobius Vermicularis Mimicking Malignancy

Helminthologia. 2022 Dec 30;59(4):373-376. doi: 10.2478/helm-2022-0037. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Enterobius vermicularis usually causes trivial infections in the juvenile population. However, its extragenital presentation in adults is relatively rare. We present the case of a 64-year-old female suffering from poorly controlled diabetes and lower abdominal pain. CT scan showed a large tumorous expansion of the lower abdomen, mimicking malignancy. Perioperative findings revealed a large adnexal tumor adhering to the rectum. In addition, the histological examination uncovered a mixed inflammatory infiltrate with multiple surrounding eggs of the parasite and granulomatous reaction in the left fallopian tube and left ovarian cortex. As reported in our article, the rare ectopic sites of Enterobius vermicularis in postmenopause may become a diagnostic challenge.

Keywords: Enterobius vermicularis; abdominal pain; adnexal tumor; extraintestinal; malignancy; postmenopause.