Case report of a computerized tomography sign in Strongyloides stercoralis infection

Abstract

Sandeep Yerra1 Pradeep Yarra2 1Anesthesiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA; 2Internal Medicine, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston Salem, NC, USA Abstract: This is a case of strongyloidiasis showing colon enhancement on a computerized tomography (CT) scan. The patient presented with chief complaints of diarrhea and abdominal pain. She gave a history of recent travel to El Salvador and her stool was positive for Strongyloides stercoralis. A CT scan revealed a circumferential enhancement of the sigmoid colon. This CT sign was unusual in strongyloidiasis and when combined with the symptoms, caused us to rule out inflammatory bowel disease and shock bowel. Stool examination revealed ova and parasites of Strongyloides stercoralis. She was then treated with ivermectin which resulted in resolution of her symptoms. Keywords: strongyloidiasis of colon, inflammatory bowel disease, parasitic infections, ulcerative colitis

Keywords

• Strongylidiosis of colon
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Parasitic infections.