Sonographic findings of hepatic lesions in human fascioliasis.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the sonographic features of hepatic lesions in patients with fascioliasis to help determine the utility of sonography in diagnosing this disorder in patients from areas in which Fasciola hepatica infestation is endemic.


METHODS
Seven patients with acute-phase (hepatic) fascioliasis had been identified among a previously reported series of 37 patients with fascioliasis who had been evaluated sonographically at Donostia Hospital in San Sebastián (Guipúzcoa), Spain. The 4 men and 3 women ranged in age from 29 to 69 years (mean, 49 years). A history of ingestion of watercress had been confirmed in 6 of the patients.


RESULTS
Sonographically, the hepatic lesions appeared as focal areas of increased echogenicity in the right lobe (2 cases), multiple nodular or irregular lesions of variable echogenicity, ranging from 5 to 25 mm in diameter, in both lobes (4 cases), and a single 6-cm complex mass in the right hepatic lobe (1 case). Therapy with dehydroemetine, praziquantel, or bithionol resulted in complete remission, although 2 patients required an additional treatment cycle. One patient also underwent surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Sonography can be useful in the detection and follow-up of hepatic lesions in human fascioliasis and can facilitate the diagnosis of this condition, particularly in areas where it is endemic.
Cosme
Angel
A
Service of Gastroenterology, Hospital Donostia, Paseo Dr. Beguiristain, s/n, San Sebastián 20014, Guipúzcoa, Spain.
Ojeda
Evelia
E
Poch
Montserrat
M
Bujanda
Luis
L
Castiella
Agustín
A
Fernández
Javier
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005211:Fascioliasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods