Schistosomiasis Mansoni Manifesting as Multiple Colonic Polyps

Huge Colonic Granuloma of Schistosomiasis Mimicked Cancer in a 10-Years-Old Child: A Case Report

Introduction

Schistosomiasis is a trematodes infection more prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas such as Yemen. Giant colonic polyp manifestations of intestinal bilharziasis are uncommon, difficult to differentiate from other colonic polyps, and can mimic cancer.

Case Report

A 10-year-old child presented with chronic abdominal pain that started ten months ago. The patient had a family history of lymphoma in his brother. The computed tomography scan showed a sigmoid luminal mass measuring 10×3 cm with significant lumen narrowing and diffuse circumferential wall thickening of the sigmoid colon, hepatomegaly, and multiple perilesional, para-hepatic, and pulmonary lymph nodes enlargements. The mass was morphologically mimicked cancer and proved to be of bilharzial etiology (Schistosoma mansoni) after surgical excision.

Conclusion

Even though the bilharzial colonic polyps are rare, it is challenging to differentiate them from other malignant colonic polyps. Clinicians should have a high suspicion regarding its manifestations to avoid unnecessary surgical interventions, especially in an endemic area, even in patients with a strong family history of cancer.

Secondary Spontaneous Pneumothorax Caused by Pulmonary Schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is an endemic disease commonly found in areas of Africa and the Middle East. It is a prevalent parasitic infection in the southern region of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The most common species found are Schistosoma mansoni and Schistosoma haematobium. Schistosomiasis can manifest in the urinary bladder, liver, and gastrointestinal system. The occurrence of the infection in the lungs is very rare and usually appears after years of initial infection. We report a case of a 23-year-old Yemeni male who presented to the emergency department complaining of sudden, right-sided chest pain with shortness of breath of one day. Examination and chest X-ray revealed the presence of pneumothorax, and a chest tube was inserted accordingly. As the pneumothorax did not resolve and a continuous air leak was present, the patient was taken to the operation theatre on suspicion of a fistula. The diagnostic procedure found the presence of bullae and patterns of inflammatory infection. A resected lung wedge revealed the presence of Schistosoma eggs, and schistosomiasis was diagnosed. In conclusion, spontaneous pneumothorax secondary to infection can present in young healthy males. Meanwhile, schistosomiasis infection must be kept in mind when dealing with patients coming from endemic areas even if they present with no recent visit to endemic areas.