⚡ Quick Summary
This report presents the first documented case of AI-assisted diagnosis of cutaneous furuncular myiasis caused by the Dermatobia hominis larva in a community surgical practice. The innovative use of AI during surgery not only confirmed the diagnosis but also facilitated effective treatment for the patient.
🔍 Key Details
- 👨⚕️ Patient Profile: 69-year-old male
- 🌍 Location: Seattle suburb
- 🦠 Infection: Cutaneous furuncular myiasis due to Dermatobia hominis
- 🛠️ Technology: AI-assisted image analysis
- 🏥 Setting: Community-based surgical center
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 🤖 AI technology is becoming increasingly important in healthcare diagnostics.
- 🦠 Cutaneous furuncular myiasis is a rare parasitic infection that can be misdiagnosed.
- 💡 AI-assisted image analysis has shown effectiveness in diagnosing skin conditions.
- 🏆 This case is the first to document AI’s role in diagnosing D. hominis intraoperatively.
- 🔍 Differential diagnosis is crucial for accurate treatment of rare infections.
- 🛠️ AI can assist clinicians in confirming suspicions and ensuring appropriate treatment.
- 🌐 The study highlights the evolving role of AI in surgical practices worldwide.
📚 Background
Cutaneous furuncular myiasis is a rare but significant parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the Dermatobia hominis fly. This condition often presents as a furuncle or boil, leading to potential misdiagnosis. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare has opened new avenues for accurate diagnosis and treatment, particularly in cases that are not commonly encountered in clinical practice.
🗒️ Study
The case study involved a 69-year-old male who presented with a unique furuncle on his scalp after returning from a vacation in Belize. Initially misdiagnosed, the patient underwent surgical excision and biopsy at a community-based surgical center. During the procedure, AI technology was utilized to assist the surgeon in confirming the diagnosis of the parasitic infection.
📈 Results
The use of AI during the surgical procedure proved to be a game-changer, as it facilitated the accurate identification of the D. hominis larva. This innovative approach not only confirmed the diagnosis but also ensured that the patient received the appropriate treatment promptly, highlighting the potential of AI in enhancing surgical outcomes.
🌍 Impact and Implications
This case underscores the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, particularly in surgical settings. By assisting in the diagnosis of rare conditions like cutaneous furuncular myiasis, AI can significantly improve patient care and outcomes. The findings suggest that integrating AI into clinical practice could lead to more efficient and accurate diagnoses, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.
🔮 Conclusion
The first documented case of AI-assisted diagnosis of cutaneous furuncular myiasis marks a significant milestone in the application of technology in medicine. As AI continues to evolve, its role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy will likely expand, paving the way for improved healthcare practices. Continued research and development in this field are essential to harness the full potential of AI in clinical settings.
💬 Your comments
What are your thoughts on the integration of AI in surgical practices? Do you believe it can revolutionize the way we diagnose and treat rare conditions? Let’s engage in a discussion! 💬 Share your insights in the comments below or connect with us on social media:
When Artificial Intelligence (AI) Met a Botfly: The First AI-Assisted Diagnosis of Cutaneous Furuncular Myiasis in a Community-Based Surgical Practice.
Abstract
In this report, we describe a rare case of a parasitic infection of Dermatobia hominis in a patient who presented to a general otolaryngology clinic in a Seattle suburb. The 69-year-old male patient initially presented with a unique furuncle on his scalp after returning from a vacation in Belize. Initially unrecognized as a cutaneous manifestation of D. hominis larva, the patient was brought for surgical excision and biopsy of the lesion to a community-based surgical center. This case highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) was innovatively utilized intraoperatively to assist the surgeon in confirming the diagnosis of this rare infection and facilitating treatment. AI has rapidly become an important tool used by physicians worldwide and is evolving in its applications in healthcare. AI-assisted image analysis has recently been demonstrated to be effective in assisting in the diagnosis and treatment of skin conditions including cancers and rare parasitic conditions such as leishmaniasis. A review of the literature reveals that our report is a first on AI-assisted intraoperative diagnosis of D. hominis. We discuss this case, the differential diagnosis, treatment options, and innovative use of ubiquitous AI in the operating room to efficiently assist clinicians in confirming their suspicions and ensuring appropriate treatment.
Author: [‘Maurice JP’, ‘Santos D’]
Journal: Cureus
Citation: Maurice JP and Santos D. When Artificial Intelligence (AI) Met a Botfly: The First AI-Assisted Diagnosis of Cutaneous Furuncular Myiasis in a Community-Based Surgical Practice. When Artificial Intelligence (AI) Met a Botfly: The First AI-Assisted Diagnosis of Cutaneous Furuncular Myiasis in a Community-Based Surgical Practice. 2025; 17:e77629. doi: 10.7759/cureus.77629