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Fasciolopsidosis of the pharynx: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Medical expert of the article
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
Fasciolopsidosis of the pharynx is caused by the helminth Fasciolopsis bucki, parasitic mainly in the liver; belongs to the family Fasciolidae; is found in Syria, Lebanon, India, Africa. The parasite is reddish-orange in color, leaf-shaped, 15-20 mm long. Unusual localization of it in the throat is caused by eating infected and not healed liver enough. When chewing such a liver, the parasite leaves the hepatic tubules, in which it lives, and is introduced into the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and pharynx. Clinically, the fasciolopsidosis of the pharynx and oral cavity is manifested by pronounced edema of the mucous membrane, which can spread to the larynx, nasal cavity and auditory tube. This edema is usually accompanied by signs of acute diffuse inflammation of the pharynx and is accompanied by a burning sensation, aphonia, dysphagia and respiratory failure.
The diagnosis of fasciolopsiasis of the pharynx is established with pharyngoscopy, in which parasites are introduced, embedded in the mucous membrane, sometimes increasing to the size of small leeches.
Treatment of fasciolopsiasis of the pharynx consists in rinsing the pharynx with 20-30% solution of ethyl alcohol. In stubborn cases prescribe per os anthelmintic agents used for fasciolopsychosis of the gastrointestinal tract.
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