Parasitosis in the bile duct, report of 3 cases and literature review

Abstract

Background: Roundworm has a worldwide incidence of 25% of the population and biliary ascariasis accounts for 10–17% of all cases of roundworm infestation, predominantly in developing countries in tropical and subtropical climates. In the bile duct, it causes pyogenic cholangitis (stenosis and pigmented stones), cholecystitis, pancreatitis and liver abscesses. Clinical cases: We present the cases of three patients who showed symptoms of biliary disease. Only one of the three cases had imaging data (ultrasound) compatible with biliary ascariasis. However the other two cases had biliary disease mimicking cholecystitis and cholangitis and diagnosis was confirmed at the time of surgical exploration. Conclusions: The management of biliary ascariasis rests on three main pillars according to severity. It starts with medical management, followed by endoscopic if the conservative option fails, and finally surgical management in selected cases, with a favourable prognosis in the majority of patients. Resumen: Antecedentes: Áscaris tiene incidencia mundial del 25% de la población y la ascaridiasis biliar representa el 10 a 17% de todos los casos de infestación por áscaris, predomina en países en vías de desarrollo, climas tropicales y subtropicales. En vía biliar produce colangitis piógena (estenosis y cálculos pigmentados), colecistitis, pancreatitis y absceso hepático. Casos clínicos: se muestran casos de tres pacientes por presentar síntomas de patología biliar, solo uno de los tres casos presento datos imagenologicos (ultrasonido) compatibles con ascaridiasis biliar sin embargo los dos casos restantes presentaron patología biliar simulando colecistitis y colangitis, llegando al diagnóstico de certeza en el momento de la exploración quirúrgica. Conclusiones: el manejo de la ascaridiasis biliar reside en tres pilares escalados, comenzando con el manejo médico, seguido del endoscópico en caso de fracaso con el anterior y por último el manejo quirúrgico en casos seleccionados, con un pronóstico favourable en la mayoría de los casos. Keywords: Bile duct, Roundworm, Cholangitis, Cholecystitis, Pancreatitis, Palabras clave: Vía biliar, Áscaris lumbricoides, Colangitis, Colecistitis, Pancreatitis