Clinical Presentation & Protocol
Patient Usually Complains Of
Patient presents with an incidental finding of a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN) on chest imaging. History is significant for exposure to mosquito-endemic areas and contact with domestic canines. Patient denies constitutional symptoms, hemoptysis, or chronic cough. No prior history of malignancy or tobacco use.
Clinical Examination Findings
Pulmonary exam: Lungs are clear to auscultation bilaterally; no wheezing, rhonchi, or rales. Cardiac exam: Regular rate and rhythm, no murmurs, rubs, or gallops. Skin: No subcutaneous nodules or migratory swellings noted. General: Patient appears well-nourished, non-toxic, and in no acute distress.
Treatment Protocol
Management plan: Surgical excision via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for definitive diagnosis and removal of the pulmonary nodule. Post-operative pathology to confirm Dirofilaria immitis. No systemic anthelmintic therapy is indicated for human pulmonary dirofilariasis as the parasite is typically non-viable in the human host.