A Case of Heterophyid Trematode Infection with Intestinal Obstruction

Yoo, Jin Young; Shim, Sang In

Abstract

This report describes a case of ileal obstruction in a 31-year-old male with acute abdominal pain. A plain film of the abdomen showed segmental obstruction of small intestine. The patient underwent laparoscopic resection of the segment. Microscopic examination demonstrated foci of ulceration, submucosal edema, transmural inflammation, mural and neural hyperplasia and noncaseating granulomas, mimicking Crohn's disease. However, there were microabscesses predominantly composed of eosinophils. Furthermore, a section of an adult heterophyid trematode was identified in the crypt. Heterophydiasis usually causes diffuse enteritis. Therefore, this case with intestinal obstruction seems to be a rare manifestation of intestinal heterophydiasis.