Ultrasound findings in children with toxocariasis: report on 18 cases.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate abdominal ultrasound (US) findings in children infected with Toxocara canis.


METHODS
Eighteen children, 18 months to 7 years of age, with serological diagnosis of T.canis infection underwent abdominal US. Eosinophil counts, hemoglobin levels and immunoglobulin E titers were measured for all patients.


RESULTS
Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic areas in the livers of 15 patients (83.3%). Hepatohilar lymph-node enlargement was present in 14 patients (77.7%), 2 of whom also showed peripancreatic lymph-node enlargement. Hepatomegaly was present in 13 patients (72.7%) and splenomegaly in 9 (50%).


CONCLUSIONS
The most prevalent findings of abdominal ultrasound examination of children with T.canis infection are hepatic granulomas and abdominal lymph-node enlargement. This infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any children who exhibit these findings on abdominal US examination, especially for those with eosinophilia.
Baldisserotto
M
M
Hospital da Criança Conceição-Ministry of Health, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Conchin
C F
CF
Soares
M da G
Mda G
Araujo
M A
MA
Kramer
B
B
D000818:Animals; D000947:Antigens, Helminth / Q000032:analysis; D000969:Antinematodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D004802:Eosinophilia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D013827:Thiabendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000276:immunology; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D014463:Ultrasonography
D000947:Antigens, Helminth; D000969:Antinematodal Agents; D013827:Thiabendazole; D004049:Diethylcarbamazine