NASAL HIRUDINIASIS IN A TODDLER

Received 2022-08-16; Accepted 2023-07-23; Published 2024-01-02

Authors

  • E-Ting Wannitta Wong Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 88586 Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia.
  • Charlene Patricia Malakun Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 88586 Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia.
  • Siti Hajar Sanudin Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, 88586 Kota Kinabalu Sabah, Malaysia.
  • Jeyasakthy Saniasiaya Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/jummec.vol27no1.15

Keywords:

Nasal leech; epistaxis; hirudiniasis; toddler

Abstract

Nasal hirudiniasis poses a significant challenge to the patient and the attending physician, especially when involving a toddler. Herein, we report a three-year-old child who presented with unilateral spontaneous epistaxis, with witnessed leech in the left nostril. We highlight a simple technique of nasal leech removal using an application of lignocaine nasal spray in the child under adequate sedation. The challenge in removing a leech from a toddler’s nasal cavity is attributed mainly to the combination of anxious parents, an uncooperative child, and the characteristics of the leech, such as its slimy surface. A simple bedside technique using lignocaine nasal spray may be adequate and may reduce the necessity of admission and the risk of general anaesthesia.

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Published

2024-01-02

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 1 (2024)

Section

Research article

License

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