A Case of Aural Gnathostomiasis

Abstract

A young Thai woman was afflicted with aural gnathostomiasis. The only symptom she had was sudden intermittent otalgia without apparent hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo or otorrhea. Presumptive diagnosis was made from the recent history of ingesting raw fish with subsequent migratory swellings. Definite diagnosis rested on identification of the worms, pertinent eosinophilia and positive skin test. This case was different from those previously reported because it was a primary aural gnathostomiasis without neurological involvement.