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An unusual cause of pre-auricular swelling

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 August 2009

A T Harris ,
I Bhatti ,
Y Bajaj  and
G J C Smelt
A T Harris*
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, UK
I Bhatti
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, UK
Y Bajaj
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, UK
G J C Smelt
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr A T Harris, Flat 9 Arncliffe House, 1 Arncliffe Road, West Park, Leeds LS16 5JE, UK. E-mail: andrew.harris@doctors.org.uk
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Abstract

Objective:

To present an interesting cause of pre-auricular swelling.

Case report:

We report the case of a 39-year-old woman who presented to the ENT department as an emergency with swelling in the left pre-auricular region. The patient had recently travelled to Central America, where the botfly is endemic. On examination, there was a raised, indurated area with a central orifice. A botfly larva was suspected. The larva was suffocated with paraffin paste, allowing removal without remnants being retained.

Conclusion:

Suffocation of botfly larvae is favoured to surgical removal, due to the possibility of larval remnants being retained and acting as a nidus for infection. The increasing frequency of exotic travel means doctors need to be more aware of tropical medicine.

Keywords

BotflyHead And NeckDermatobia Hominis
Type
Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 124 , Issue 3 , March 2010 , pp. 339 - 340
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2009

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References

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