Differential diagnosis of a carcinoma of the maxillary sinus that resembles a sparganum infection: A case report

Primary malignant tumors of the maxillary sinuses are rare. The present study reports the case of a maxillary sinus adenocarcinoma that was misdiagnosed as a frog sparganum infection, and discusses the differential diagnosis between the two diseases. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with a carcinoma of the left maxillary sinus that presented as a progressive mass in the left eye and the maxillary sinus. Eosinophilic infiltration was observed in the subcutaneous tissue, and the patient had experienced previous exposure to undercooked frog. Although an anti-sparganum ELISA was performed and the results were negative, a sparganosis infection was initially diagnosed. However, following the application of anti-sparganosis treatment, no improvements were observed. Histological examination of an orbital mass resection revealed an adenocarcinoma with bone metastases. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to report a maxillary sinus carcinoma misdiagnosed as sparganosis. Therefore, the findings of the current study should be considered in the differential diagnosis between a carcinoma of the maxillary sinus and sparganosis. Avoidance of misdiagnosis at an early stage is crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment of sinonasal malignancies.