Clinical and epidemiologic aspects of differential diagnostics of neoplastic, inflammatory and parasitic diseases localized in the maxillofacial region

Objective. To study clinical and epidemiological features and develop an algorithm for differential diagnostics of neoplastic, inflammatory and parasitic maxillofacial diseases (exemplified by dirofilariasis). Materials and methods. Retro- and prospective analysis of case histories of patients undergoing treatment for dirofilariasis in the Clinical Dental Hospital of Ye. A. Vagner PSMU since 2013. Results. 35 cases of dirofilariasis were recorded in Perm Krai between 2013 and 2024, with 10 of them involving the soft tissues of the upper and middle facial thirds. These patients were hospitalized in the CDH of PSMU. Among the observed cases, the initial diagnosis correlated to the clinical one in only 50% of patients, in other cases it was established after surgical intervention. The criteria for differential diagnosis of dirofilariasis forms with neoplastic and inflammatory diseases were formulated in the course of the comparative analysis. Conclusions. Dirofilariasis remains a rare and insufficiently studied pathology, including in the Perm region. In this regard, when patients complain of the development of tumor-like formations in the maxillofacial region, it is important to take the medical history thoroughly, focusing on the migration, sensations of moving and itching while moving. Take into account the seasonality, the presence of mosquitoes in the patient`s area of residence, pets, especially dogs. The need for multicenter research, which will raise the specialists` awareness in general and optimize the quality of medical care for patients with helminth infections, is obvious.