A nasopharyngeal mass: leech in the nasopharynx

Abstract

This paper presents a case with a 4-month history of nasal obstruction and intermittent epistaxis. The cause was found to be a leech in the nasopharynx by means of endoscopic examination. Leech endoparasitism, although rare, may cause serious, even lethal, complications. A high index of suspicion of leech infestation must be entertained when faced with nasal obstruction and intermittent epistaxis in children, and should be investigated surgically as with all other foreign bodies.