Ascariasis pancreatitis. Endoscopic diagnosis and therapy

Ascariasis lumbricoides is a parasitic disease of the human gastrointestinal tract. Migration of the worm through orifices and into ducts leads to such complications as cholangitis and pancreatitis; even bile duct perforation by Ascaris have been reported. Treatment of biliary ascariasis is usually surgical, although endoscopic removal of the worm has been successfully performed. We report on a case in whom an Ascaris worm in the common bile duct led to acute pancreatitis; the worm was successfully removed endoscopically after performing papillotomy.