[Unusual ingestion of a nasogastric tube by Ascaris lumbricoides].

UNLABELLED: We present the unusual ingestion of a Levin's tube by Ascaris lumbricoides found in the stomach of a 60 year old woman who died with the clinical diagnosis of cerebral vascular disease.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The parasite was studied in serial histological sections with hematoxylin-eosin stain, to observe the tube in situ.

RESULTS

Cross sections showed loss of the intestinal lumen with distension of the internal border and the identification of structures through uterus and ovaries and the effects of compression by the Levin's tube.

CONCLUSIONS

Considering the muscular tissue of the esophagus, this condition tolerates in the utmost degree the passage of the catheter to reach the anus. This finding, plus the lytic effects of enzymes in the parasite's mouth, contributes partially to explain the variety of pathology observed in literature.