Bronchoscopic removal of a leech from the trachea by cryotherapy

Abstract

Abstract This report presents a 74‐year‐old man with haemoptysis, cough and pharyngeal discomfort. Bronchoscopy revealed a brown worm‐like moving foreign body attaching to the upper trachea approximately 2 cm below the glottis. This worm was identified as a leech, measured about 4 cm and was mobile. It was removed safely in one piece via cryotherapy by flexible bronchoscope. Intrabronchial cryotherapy by bronchoscope might be the best way of extraction of leeches.

Keywords

• bronchoscope
• cryotherapy
• leech infestation
• trachea