Nasal myiasis among pediatric patients: Our experiences

Abstract

Objective: The objective is to study the clinical profile, diagnostic method, treatment, and outcome of nasal myiasis among children at a tertiary care teaching hospital of east India. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective study on 28 children of either sex with the age group of 6-16 years suffering from nasal myiasis during the past 10 years. The details clinical pictures, treatment, and outcome of the nasal myiasis among children were studied. Nasal endoscopy was performed for the diagnosis and removal of crawling maggots by picking up with nasal forceps under direct vision. Results: The youngest child was of 6 years 3 months and oldest 16 years of age. More than half of the children (60.71%) were >10 years of age. Of 28 children, 18 (64.28%) were suffering from chronic rhinosinusitis, whereas 5 (17.85%) children with atrophic rhinosinusitis and 5 (17.85%) children were known case of sinonasal tumors. Main presenting symptoms were as follows: epistaxis (100%), a fouls smell (64.28%), passage or crawling sensation of worms (89.28%), and pain in the nose (75%). Endoscopic method was used in all cases for the removal of maggots from the nasal cavity. Conclusion: Nasal myiasis is an uncommon clinical condition in the pediatric age group due to improved living standards, but it still exists in developing and underdeveloped country. Quick and complete removal of maggots is needed for avoiding complications of nasal myiasis among children. The hygiene of the child should be improved for avoiding this dreaded clinical entity.