Clinical Study of Biliary Ascariasis in Adults: A Hospital Based Study from North Eastern India

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: to study the clinical presentations and various options for the management of biliary ascariasis. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective Hospital Based Study carried out in a Tertiary care hospital. A total of 58 patients (31 females and 27 males) were studied over a period of 4 years. All cases of suspected biliary disease were subjected to a thorough history taking, clinical examination and investigations. Results: Biliary ascariasis was more common in female. The mean age of the patients was 35.52 ± 16.01 years. Ultrasonography of abdomen was the diagnostic tool of choice with 100% accuracy. 38 (65.51%) patients recovered with conservative treatment and antihelminthics. In 8 (13.79%) patients, the worms were extracted with upper G.I Endoscopy using a snare. In the rest 12 (20.68%) patients the worms were removed with ERCP using a dormia basket. Conclusion: Ultrasonography is an excellent diagnostic tool. Most of the patients responded to conservative treatment. Early therapeutic ERCP is advisable in patients not responding to conservative treatment.