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Unusual presentation of more common disease/injury
Myiasis infestation in advanced oral squamous cell carcinoma
  1. Larissa Pessoa1,
  2. Virgilio Galvão1
  1. 1Department of Medical Sciences, University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
  2. 2Department of Stomatology, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brasília, Brazil
  1. Correspondence to Professor Virgilio Galvão, virgiliogalvao{at}cienciasdasaude.com.br

Summary

Oral myiasis is a rare manifestation in humans and is vulnerable to attack in conditions leading to persistent mouth opening along with poor oral hygiene, suppurating lesions and cancerous wound, mainly in tropical countries. Myiasis is diagnosed clinically based on the presence of maggots and traditional management is the mechanical removal of the larvae. This is a case report of myiasis in a 44-year-old man diagnosed with invasive oral squamous cell carcinoma. The treatment consisted of manual removal of the larvae and cleaning with aqueous chlorhexidin 0.12%. The patient’s management was antisepsis, larval removal and general care, performed weekly. The patient died 2 months later. The management of patients by healthcare service and hygiene orientations is recommended to prevent oral myiasis infestation, mainly in patients living in fly breeding habitats and who do not comply with basic oral hygiene measures, which may be make individuals more prone to develop myiasis.

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests None.

  • Patient consent Obtained.