The tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis cause two different clinical manifestations in humans: cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. Both forms of echinococcosis manifest primarily in the liver, while other organs or tissues are less frequently affected. Simultaneous occurrence of CE and AE is extremely rare, and all previously reported patients exhibited affected livers, while simultaneous infection without liver involvement has not yet been described. Herein, we present an exclusively extrahepatic E. granulosus and E. multilocularis coinfection localized between the calf muscles of a patient. Due to progressive painful local swelling, an abscess was suspected, but there was no improvement after the administration of multiple courses of antibiotics. When imaging diagnostics suggested a parasitic origin of the two identified cystic lesions, positive serology for both species indicated a dual infection. Albendazole therapy was started, and extensive surgical excision was performed. Both species were confirmed using PCR and sequencing from intraoperative samples. The current case shows that coinfection without liver involvement can occur, even in patients from low-incidence regions, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unusual clinical presentation.
The tapeworms Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis cause two different clinical manifestations in humans: cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. Both forms of echinococcosis manifest primarily in the liver, while other organs or tissues are less frequently affected. Simultaneous occurrence of CE and AE is extremely rare and all previously reported patients had affected liver, while simultaneous infection without liver involvement has not yet been described. Hereby, we present an exclusively extrahepatal E. granulosus and E. multilocularis coinfection localized between the calf muscles of a patient. Due to progressive painful local swelling, an abscess was suspected, but there was no improvement on multiple antibiotic courses. When imaging diagnostics suggested a parasitic origin of the two identified cystic lesions, positive serology on both species indicated a dual infection. Albendazole therapy was started, and extensive surgical excision was performed. Both species were confirmed using PCR and sequencing from intraoperative samples. The current case shows that coinfection without liver involvement can occur even in patients from the low-incidence regions, which should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with unusual clinical presentation.
5 September 2023 in Journal of Surgical Case Reports
Sarcomas represent 1% of malignancies in adult population; thereby dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is found in 1%–2% of all cases. A surgical approach in oncologic treatment is the standard of care; therefore, important is an extensive resection to achieve clear margins and prevent recurrence. Herein we report a case of recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the thoracolumbar region. As the adequate resection was to cause a huge defect, we have made a reconstruction plan for coverage, using a perforator-based double Keystone Island flap (Type III). The method was chosen as a reliant solution with low complication rates and without need for complex flap designs thereby giving good functional and esthetic results. Main aim of the case report was to show that Keystone Island flaps present a simple and technically straightforward method with low complication rates and good results.