INTRODUCTION: Parasite identification during routine colon cancer screening is unexpected and rather unusual. Schistosoma is a tropical parasite associated to freshwater snails; among which S. mansoni and S. japonicum species have been associated with intestinal tract infection. Although most patients are asymptomatic, identification is crucial to avoid possible complications like chronic intestinal schistosomiasis or hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 57-year-old Puerto Rican Vietnam veteran with history of schizophrenia and chronic liver disease secondary to Hepatitis C underwent colonoscopy for average-risk colorectal cancer screening. During colonoscopy, a one-centimeter polyp at 15cm was completely removed by hot snare and six additional small sessile polyps in the rectum by cold forceps. Pathology was remarkable for a tubular adenoma, while one of the rectal polyps identified a non-necrotizing granuloma suggestive of schistosoma parasite. Patient had shown no GI symptoms or complaints and was treated with Praziquantel. DISCUSSION: Puerto Rico is an endemic area for schistosoma. Schistosomiasis is a chronic parasitic disease with significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Intestinal polyps and dysplasia can arise due to granulomatous inflammation surrounding eggs deposited in the bowel wall. Gastrointestinal manifestations may result in chronic abdominal pain, poor appetite, and diarrhea for which early identification is necessary for treatment even in the asymptomatic setting.
INTRODUCTION: Peribiliary cysts are a rare entity usually found in patients with chronic liver disease and polycystic kidney disease. Patients are mostly asymptomatic therefore it is identified at times incidentally by abdominal imaging. Differential diagnosis include cholangiocarcinoma, Caroli disease and primary biliary cirrhosis. Awareness is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and unnecessary procedures including biopsies and surgeries. CASE DESCRIPTION/METHODS: A 67-year-old female with cirrhosis secondary to NASH and portal hypertension, among other comorbidities was evaluated at GI clinics. Abdominal sonogram performed for hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance showed right and left intrahepatic biliary ductal dilatation. The common bile duct measured 0.35 cm and the gallbladder showed intraluminar posterior acoustic shadows suggestive of cholelithiasis without wall thickening or pericholecystitic fluid collections. Patient denied fever, chills, abdominal pain, nausea or vomits. Abdomen was benign. Laboratories remarkable for baseline thrombocytopenia of 71, normal ALT and AST, elevation of alkaline phosphatase to 171 and hyperbilirubinemia of 3. MRCP was performed for further evaluation which showed multiple hyperintense rounded lesions tracking along the intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary as seen with peribiliary cysts. DISCUSSION: Peribiliary cyst are usually associated to alcoholic cirrhosis with a prevalence of 9%; while in they have not been described in NASH. Pathophysiology may be due to intrahepatic circulatory disturbances of the portal venous system. Possible complications include biliary tract dilatation, obstructive jaundice and cholangitis.
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