Nasopharyngeal linguatulosis or halzoun syndrome: clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Halzoun syndrome, also known as nasopharyngeal linguatulosis, is a rare entity that is mostly prevalent in Eastern Mediterranean countries. The consumption of raw ovine liver and lymph nodes infested with Linguatula serrata nymphs remains a major cause of the nasopharyngeal symptoms and discomfort associated with the disease. Halzoun syndrome is a clinical diagnosis based on history and presentation. METHODS: Treatment of this disease is still debated; however, our experience reveals that alcohol gargle can be a good option. Proper counselling on the hazards of eating raw liver in endemic areas is needed. RESULTS: Moreover, physicians should be aware of the sequence of events in the disease in order not to delay or miss the diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: This communication presents a rare Lebanese case of Halzoun syndrome that offers medical implications in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of the nasopharyngeal symptoms of this syndrome, with a review of the literature.