title: [An unusual cause of hemoptysis: a leech].
abstract: We report an exceptional case of hemoptysis observed in a 71-year-old woman with an uneventful past history. After 48 hours of admission, the patient spontaneously expelled a leech from the nose. The parasite was examined in parasitology laboratory, which confirmed the hemiptera. The infestation of the airway by a leech is not uncommon; however, this diagnosis is rarely mentioned. The clinical symptoms are variable depending on location and the diagnosis should be made rapidly to prevent complications. Whatever the localization, removing the parasite is difficult. Evolution after treatment is rapidly favorable, with complete disappearance of symptoms.
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Hanim
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Bourkadi
authors.forename: F Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Cherkaoui
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soualhi
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zahraoui
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marc
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benamour
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iraqi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007865:Leeches / Q000502:physiology*; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology