Intermittent obstruction of jejunostomy tube due to Ascaris lumbricoides infection.
A 45-year-old Costa Rican woman was seen for a jejunostomy tube malfunction. There was no evidence of tube malposition or intestinal obstruction. During endoscopy, a long worm was retrieved from the distal duodenum; it was later confirmed to be Ascaris lumbricoides. After treatment with mebendazole, no further episodes of tube occlusion were observed. This case reminds us of the importance of considering helminthic infections and their atypical manifestations in patients from endemic regions.
Kiafar
Camron
C
Department of Medicine and Research, Section of Gastroenterology, Carl. T. Hayden VA Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85012, USA.
Shah
Deepa
D
Wadas
Darrell
D
Gilani
Nooman
N
D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides; D004378:Duodenal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004868:Equipment Failure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy*