Clinical Presentation & Protocol
Patient Usually Complains Of
Patient presents with chronic abdominal pain, intermittent nausea, and occasional vomiting. History of potential exposure to intermediate hosts (snakes) or consumption of contaminated water/food. Symptoms are often vague, mimicking chronic cholecystitis or intestinal obstruction. No history of recent travel to endemic regions reported.
Clinical Examination Findings
Abdominal examination reveals mild to moderate tenderness, primarily in the right upper quadrant or epigastrium. No palpable masses or organomegaly noted. Bowel sounds are present and normal. If calcified larvae are present, they may be incidentally noted on abdominal imaging (X-ray/CT) as characteristic "C-shaped" or "comma-shaped" calcifications.
Treatment Protocol
Management is primarily surgical if symptomatic or if complications such as intestinal obstruction or perforation occur. Medical treatment with anthelmintics (e.g., albendazole) is controversial and often ineffective against encysted larvae. Monitor for secondary bacterial infection or inflammatory response. Surgical excision of symptomatic lesions is the definitive treatment.