Oral and maxillofacial myiasis associated with epidermoid carcinoma: a case report

Abstract

Myiasis is a term derived from the Greek word "myia", meaning invasion of vital tissue of humans or other mammals by fly larvae. The deposited eggs develop into larvae, which penetrate deep structures causing adjacent tissue destruction. It is an uncommon clinical condition, being more frequent in underdeveloped countries and hot climate regions, and is associated with poor hygiene, suppurative oral lesions, alcoholism and senility. Its diagnosis is made basically by the presence of larvae. This paper reports a case of oral and maxillofacial myiasis involving 273 larvae in a patient with epidermoid carcinoma without physical or neurological deficiency. The patient's management was antisepsis, larval removal and general care, before death after three months.