Fine needle aspiration diagnosis of a subcutaneous abscess from Enterobius vermicularis infestation. A case report.

BACKGROUND

Extraintestinal infestation by Enterobius vermicularis is uncommon. It has been reported to occur in the peritoneal cavity, ovary, fallopian tube, endometrium, lung, liver and urinary tract.

CASE REPORT: Fine needle aspiration diagnosis was made in a case of enterobiasis presenting with a subcutaneous abscess in the natal cleft. Eggs, as well as fragments of cuticle of the adult worm, were found; the morphology of both was best visualized in Papanicolaou-stained smears. Polarizing microscopy highlighted the equally spaced parallel grooves of the cuticle.

CONCLUSION

Fine needle aspiration cytology of subcutaneous abscesses due to enterobiasis can be diagnostic when eggs, or eggs with cuticle, are identified in a suppurative or granulomatous inflammation.