Abstract: Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary sparganosis in children. Methods The clinical data of pulmonary sparganosis in a child were retrospectively analyzed. Results A 13 -year-old girl presented with cough for twenty days, concomitantly with chest discomfort and shortness of breath after activities. Anti-infective therapy was ineffective. Pulmonary imaging showed pleural effusion and a large cavity in the middle lobe of the right lung with a distinctive parasite body shadow. The diagnosis of pulmonary sparganosis was confirmed by the next-generation sequencing. The patient was discharged after surgery combined with praziquantel deinsectization, and no abnormality was observed during follow-up. Conclusion Pulmonary sparganosis is a clinically rare condition. For patients suspected of having lung parasitic infection, detailed inquiry of epidemiological history, screening of routine serum parasite antibodies and pulmonary CT examination should be done for early diagnosis. Further, pathological biopsy and gene sequencing can be performed when the diagnosis is still unclear.

Key words: pulmonary sparganosis; pleural effusion; pulmonary cavitie