Cutaneous tumbu fly myiasis in a returning child traveller and a novel EMLA-assisted extraction technique in paediatric emergency care.

Authors

Prav Hamal, Vanessa Merrick, Ian Maconochie, Rickin Popat

Published in

BMJ case reports. Volume 19. Issue 10. Oct 05, 2026. Epub Oct 05, 2026.

Abstract

Myiasis is a parasitic infestation caused by dipterous larvae and is an important diagnostic consideration in travellers returning from endemic regions with infected skin lesions. Paediatric cases present unique management challenges, particularly when invasive procedures or general anaesthesia are considered. We report a case of cutaneous myiasis with associated cellulitis in a toddler following travel to Gambia, caused by Cordylobia anthropophaga (tumbu fly). A novel non-operative approach using eutectic mixture of local anaesthetic cream was successfully employed to facilitate larval extraction, avoiding the need for surgical intervention. This case highlights a safe, effective and minimally invasive technique for managing paediatric cutaneous myiasis in an emergency department setting.

PMID:
42833849
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 06 Oct 2026.

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