Retroperitoneal filariasis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Filarial worms lodge anywhere, from body fluids to subcutaneous tissue, as various case reports prove.

CASE: A 21-year-old Nepali male presented with bilateral groin swellings. Imaging studies showed dilated retroperitoneal lymphatics forming a mass, suggestive of lymphangioma or lymphangioleiomyoma. Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of the retroperitoneal mass revealed microfilariae of Wuchereria bancrofti.

CONCLUSION

This is the first reported case of retroperitoneal filarial lymphangiectasia diagnosed on FNA, thus stressing the importance of FNA as a simple yet effective diagnostic tool.