VIJAYPUR, Oct 8: In a rare and unusual medical case, the ENT Department of AIIMS Jammu successfully removed a live leech from the nasal cavity of a young patient who had been suffering from persistent nosebleeds for nearly two weeks.
The patient, a 31-year-old male from Ramban, had been experiencing unilateral epistaxis (nosebleeds from one nostril) for 12 days, which did not respond to conventional treatment at multiple healthcare facilities. Frustrated by the ongoing bleeding, he approached AIIMS Jammu for specialized care.
According to Dr. Darwin Kaushal, Head of the ENT Department, the patient’s detailed endoscopic evaluation revealed a live, blood-fed leech firmly attached to the sphenoethmoidal recess, deep inside the nasal cavity. “This is an extremely rare presentation, especially in urban medical centers,” Dr. Kaushal said.
The removal procedure, performed under local anesthesia, involved endoscopic instruments to carefully grasp and extract the leech without causing trauma to the delicate nasal mucosa. The parasite, identified as belonging to the Hirudinea species, was successfully removed alive.
Dr. Kaushal explained that the leech had likely been inside the nasal cavity for almost two weeks, feeding continuously and secreting hirudin, an anticoagulant, which caused the intractable bleeding. “If left untreated, such a parasite can lead to severe anemia or even migrate to the throat, lungs, or other vital organs, posing life-threatening risks,” he said.
The source of the infestation is suspected to be untreated natural water from springs, ponds, or streams in hilly or rural areas. The ENT team cautioned residents, particularly in peripheral regions, to avoid consuming untreated water directly from such sources.
The procedure was carried out with the dedicated support of Dr. Amardeep Singh, Dr. Pooja, Dr. Youshita, Dr. Shivane, Dr. Muskan, Dr. Gunjan, Dr. Bisna, and nursing officers Ambika and Shivkaran.
Prof. (Dr.) Shakti Kumar Gupta, Executive Director & CEO of AIIMS Jammu, lauded the team’s expertise, stating that the case highlights the institute’s advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities. He emphasized that such rare interventions reflect the dedication and skill of AIIMS Jammu staff in delivering timely, life-saving care.
The patient is now recovering well and has been advised on preventive measures to avoid recurrence.
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