Case report. Pulmonary dirofilariasis in man.

A case of pulmonary dirofilariasis in a 69-year-old woman is presented. A review of the literature revealed 56 documented cases. As in most cases of pulmonary dirofilariasis, our patient presented roentgenologically a single noncalcified coin lesion and required thoracotomy for diagnosis. The gross and histologic characteristics of the lesion, the life cycle of the parasite, the subcutaneous form of human dirofilariasis, and the possible role of the immunologic tests in establishing the diagnosis are briefly discussed. The incidence of pulmonary dirofilariasis appears to be increasing. Awareness that such entity exists is important since correct preoperative diagnosis can alleviate unnecessary surgical intervention.