Pathology of subcutaneous sparganosis: report of two cases
Tsou, M.H.; Huang, T.W.
Journal of the Formosan Medical Association 92(7): 649-653
1993
ISSN/ISBN: 0929-6646 PMID: 7904502 Document Number: 417318
Subcutaneous sparganosis is reported in 2 patients (aged 22 and 47 years) in Taiwan, who both presented with a subcutaneous tumour of the chest or abdominal wall, one of which had been present for more than 10 years. In each case the clinical diagnosis was lipoma. Histopathology of the resected lesions demonstrated characteristic plerocercoid larvae of a Spirometra sp. thought to be S. mansoni. Tissue reaction included granuloma formation, necrosis and lymphoplasma cellular infiltrates with focal collections of eosinophils. The pathogenesis of sparganosis is discussed. The authors present a pathology report on 2 cases of sparganosis in adults diagnosed in Taipai (Taiwan) in April/May 1992, with single skin nodules (from the abdomen and chest respectively) examined. Characteristic larvae of Spirometra sp. were identified and presumed to be S. mansoni. Carolyn A. Brown.