Filariasis: A Rare Differential Diagnosis of Cystic Neck Swelling

Authors: Bihani K, Kamble P, Arora R* and Nagarkar NM

DOI: 10.23880/ooaj-16000191

Volume 5, Issue 1

Abstract

Cystic Neck swelling in adults have a variable differential diagnosis, often either lymphatic, vascular malformation or infective swelling. Filariasis presenting as a cystic isolated neck swelling is a rare unusual presentation of extra lymphatic filariasis. We report a case of 25-year-old male with left supraclavicular swelling for 2 months. Diagnosis was made on detection of the microfilaria on fine needle aspiration cytology and the patient responded excellently to the anti-helminthic drugs with complete resolution in 4 weeks. Although rare filariasis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of aberrant cystic neck swelling as it is one of the important causes of disability and exerts a major impact on health care costs, careful screening of all smears and high index of suspicion, especially in endemic areas are the keys to correct diagnosis.

Keywords: Cystic Neck swelling; Filariasis; Wuchereria bancrofti

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