Dirofilariasis may rarely involve the buccal mucosa.
Species: Dirofilaria repens
Distribution: many countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia
Clinical feature:
(1) nontender, firm nodule of the cheek or buccal space
(2) peripheral eosinophilia
(3) history of mosquito exposure
Typically, the mass is surgically excised with a worm identified on pathologic exam. Speciation is based on histologic appearance of cross sections.
Microfilaria are only rare found in the peripheral blood.
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Specialty: Infectious Diseases
