Enterobius vermicularis (pinworm) infestation mimicking acute appendicitis in two children from Palestine: a case report

Abstract

Background: Pinworm, Enterobius vermicularis, is a common parasitic illness, particularly among children in Palestine. On rare occasions, it can cause serious consequences such as acute appendicitis, which can still present a challenging diagnosis especially in children. Case presentation: This report describes two cases (a 9 year old male and a 11 year old female, both Palestinian children from Hebron district) of acute appendicitis referred to Queen Alia Hebron Governmental Hospital in Palestine. The clinical examination revealed a lower abdominal pain, and they were diagnosed with appendicitis. The pathological examination after appendectomy showed the presence of eggs and pinworms. Anthelminthic medication was provided, and they were followed up for 6 weeks after the operation without any incidents. Conclusion: These cases highlight the importance of considering Enterobius vermicularis infestation in children with abdominal pain, as the parasites can mimic appendicitis. Prompt recognition and cautious laparoscopic appendectomy are crucial to prevent unnecessary surgery and peritoneal contamination, with the infestation being easily treatable with anthelmintic medication.