NASAL HIRUDINIASIS IN A TODDLER
Nasal hirudiniasis poses a significant challenge to the patient and the attending physician, especially when involving a toddler. Herein, we report a three-year-old child who presented with unilateral spontaneous epistaxis, with witnessed leech in the left nostril. We highlight a simple technique of nasal leech removal using an application of lignocaine nasal spray in the child under adequate sedation. The challenge in removing a leech from a toddler’s nasal cavity is attributed mainly to the combination of anxious parents, an uncooperative child, and the characteristics of the leech, such as its slimy surface. A simple bedside technique using lignocaine nasal spray may be adequate and may reduce the necessity of admission and the risk of general anaesthesia.