Huge filarial elephantiasis vulvae in a Nigerian woman with subfertility

Filariasis is a helminthic infection caused by tissue nematodes. It is estimated that at least 120 million people are infected worldwide and another 1 billion are at risk of infection. The prevalence is increasing due to uncontrolled urbanization in many of the endemic countries. The geographical distribution is determined mainly by climate and the distribution of the mosquito vector. We report a case of huge filarial elephantiasis of the vulva, in a 40-year-old multipara with background history of secondary infertility. She had excision of the elephantoid vulva lesion under general anaesthesia. A nontender irreducible pedunculated mass (25 cm x 21 cm) with a large stalk arising from the right groin down to the ipsilateral labia majora was removed. A similar mass on the left groin, measuring 10 cm x 6 cm was removed. Diagnosis was confirmed at histopathologic analysis of the excised masses. Patient was placed on diethyl carbamazine.