Nasopharyngeal linguatulosis or halzoun syndrome: clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE

Halzoun syndrome, also known as nasopharyngeal linguatulosis, is a rare entity that is mostly prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean countries. The consumption of raw ovine liver and lymph nodes infested with Linguatula serrata nymphs remains a major cause of the nasopharyngeal symptoms and discomfort associated with the disease. Halzoun syndrome is a clinical diagnosis based on history and presentation.

METHODS

Treatment of this disease is still debated; however, our experience reveals that alcohol gargle can be a good option. Proper counselling on the hazards of eating raw liver in endemic areas is needed.

RESULTS

Moreover, physicians should be aware of the sequence of events in the disease in order not to delay or miss the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This communication presents a rare Lebanese case of Halzoun syndrome that offers medical implications in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the nasopharyngeal symptoms of this syndrome, with a review of the literature.