title: [Sonographic evaluation of periportal fibrosis in children living in a Schistosoma mansoni endemic region].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess with ultrasound periportal fibrosis due to chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection in children living in an endemic region. Materials and methods. A total of 441 children underwent two stool examinations and abdominal sonography. Liver echotexture was assessed by two observers and compared to pre-defined image patterns and a fibrosis score was assigned ranging from 0 to 8. Ultrasound features were correlated to age, sex, and parasitologic findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of Schistosoma mansoni infestation was 63%. Two cases of advanced fibrosis (E pattern or fibrosis score of 6) were observed. Fibrosis correlated with age. No correlation existed between fibrosis and intensity of egg-output. A correlation between the two examinors was noted in 84% of examinations with a kappa coefficient of 0.7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although severe periportal fibrosis is a rare finding in this endemic region, follow-up sonography must be performed because it is the only non invasive and reliable tool for detection of periportal fibrosis.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie Générale CHU de Fann, BP 5035 Dakar, Sénégal. agaicha@sentoo.sn
authors.forename: A T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Alfidja
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badiane
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mbaye
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Dial
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ba Diop
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019353:Endemic Diseases / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008103:Liver Cirrhosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D008109:Liver Diseases, Parasitic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D009017:Morbidity; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D035583:Rare Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014463:Ultrasonography