In a peculiar medical case, doctors in Kerala’s Kochi successfully removed a 4-cm-long cockroach from the lungs of a 55-year-old man. The man had initially sought treatment for severe breathing difficulty, which led to the shocking discovery.
The incident, which took place on February 22, saw a medical team led by Dr. Tinku Jospeh, Head of Interventional Pulmonology at Amritha Hospital, spring into action to extract the cockroach. According to health experts, the cockroach entered the man’s lungs through a tube that had been inserted in his neck to provide oxygen due to respiratory issues.
The patient’s condition deteriorated, prompting further investigation by the ENT department. Later, the ENT department performed a bronchoscopy and confirmed the presence of the cockroach in the lungs. After eight hours, the medical team was able to remove the insect, although it had begun to disintegrate. The surgery became complicated because of the patient’s pre-existing respiratory problem.
Dr. Joseph, in an interview with Asianet News Online, expressed that while cases of foreign objects becoming stuck in the lungs are not uncommon, incidents involving live insects are extremely rare. Health experts speculate that such incidents could be attributed to negligence, such as failing to properly seal the breathing tube.
In a separate case, a man from Florida, USA, experienced a troubling medical condition where doctors found live insects infesting his nasal passages and sinuses. Since October, the patient, who had previously battled cancer, has been experiencing nosebleeds and discomfort. This discovery led to the diagnosis of nasal myiasis, which is a rare condition caused by an infestation of fly larvae.
After examination, Dr. David Carlson described how the larvae varied in size, with some as large as the end of his pinky finger. He observed that some larvae were moving around the nose in search of places to feed, while others had already tunneled into the tissue.
The man was treated with a specialized anti-parasitic rinse for his nose and is anticipated to recover completely.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Komal Bhoi)