Ultrasonographic evidence of abnormal lymphatic vessels in young men with adult Wuchereria bancrofti infection in the scrotal area.
OBJECTIVE
We determined the prevalence and magnitude of dilatation of the lymphatic vessels of the spermatic cord in men infected with Wuchereria bancrofti, which is known major cause of hydrocele in the tropics.


METHODS
Scrotal ultrasound was performed with a 7.5 MHz, transducer in 78 men from Recife, Brazil (endemic for filariasis) and in 15 from a nonendemic area.


RESULTS
Among men from Recife the lymphatic vessels were dilated (1.3 to 15.0 mm., mean 3.8) at the location of the adult worm. Vessel diameter was not associated with hydrocele.


CONCLUSIONS
Lymphatic dilation was observed in all men with ultrasonographically detectable W. bancrofti infection, even those who were asymptomatic.
Norões
J
J
Hospital das Clinicas, UFPE, Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhaes-FIOCRUZ, Recife, Brasil.
Addiss
D
D
Santos
A
A
Medeiros
Z
Z
Coutinho
A
A
Dreyer
G
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D005368:Filariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012611:Scrotum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014958:Wuchereria bancrofti