title: Roundworm infestation presenting as acute abdomen in four cases--sonographic diagnosis.
abstract: Infestation with Ascaris lumbricoides (roundworm) is very common in the tropics and subtropics. Patients with ascariasis can be asymptomatic or may present with different clinical features in the form of simple nausea, decreased appetite, abdominal pain or more severe bowel obstruction, perforation, intussusception, biliary colic etc. Ultrasonography (USG) can be quick, safe, noninvasive and relatively inexpensive tool in diagnosing the presence of worms and also evaluating response to treatment (1, 2, and 3). Here we present four cases of roundworm infestation presenting with acute abdomen in the emergency department, which were diagnosed by USG and further imaging features of ascariasis on USG is described.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnosis, Kathmandu University Medical School, Dhulikhel, Nepal.
authors.forename: U K
authors.initials: UK
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Rauniyar
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bhatta
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001196:Ascariasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D017164:Ascaris lumbricoides; D001649:Bile Duct Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D041881:Cholecystitis, Acute / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007410:Intestinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D008100:Liver Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography