Huge filarial elephantiasis vulvae in a Nigerian woman with subfertility.
Filariasis is a helminthic infection caused by tissue nematodes. It is estimated that at least 120 million people are infected worldwide and another 1 billion are "at risk" of infection. The prevalence is increasing due to uncontrolled urbanization in many of the endemic countries. The geographical distribution is determined mainly by climate and the distribution of the mosquito vector. We report a case of huge filarial elephantiasis of the vulva, in a 40-year-old multipara with background history of secondary infertility. She had excision of the elephantoid vulva lesion under general anaesthesia. A nontender irreducible pedunculated mass (25 cmx21 cm) with a large stalk arising from the right groin down to the ipsilateral labia majora was removed. A similar mass on the left groin, measuring 10 cmx6 cm was removed. Diagnosis was confirmed at histopathologic analysis of the excised masses. Patient was placed on diethyl carbamazine.
Adesiyun
Adebiyi Gbadebo
AG
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Shika-Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. biyi.adesiyun@yahoo.com
Samaila
Modupeola Omotara
MO
D000328:Adult; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004605:Elephantiasis, Filarial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000469:parasitology*; D014845:Vulvar Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery
D004049:Diethylcarbamazine