title: [Ultrasonographic findings in ocular toxocariasis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate ophthalmic ultrasound findings in the three presentation forms of ocular toxocariasis (peripheral or posterior pole granulomas and chronic endophthalmitis), in patients with confirmed diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 patients (11 eyes) with clinical and confirmed diagnosis of active ocular toxocariasis, presented positive ELISA test, were analyzed, prospectively, in the study. The patients were submitted to an ocular ultrasound examination (10-MHz transducer, contact technique).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the series of 11 patients, mean age was 7.9 years-old (range from 2 to 17 y), 73% male, referring previous contact with dogs (91%), and with the soil (50%), no referral of appetite perversion. In the analyses of compromised eyes (11 eyes), the ophthalmoscopic examination revealed the following distribution of the 3 forms of ocular toxocariasis: 7 cases (63.6%), posterior pole granuloma; 1 (9.1%), chronic endophthalmitis; 2 (18.2%), peripheral granuloma; and 1 (9.1%), posterior pole granuloma associated with chronic endophthalmitis. Visual acuity impairment: no light perception (3 eyes, 27.3%); hand motion (4 eyes, 36.4%); counting fingers at 10 cm (1 eye, 9.1%); 20/200 (1 eye, 9.1%); 20/70 (1 eye, 9.1%); undefined (1 eye, 9.1%). Serology was positive to Toxocara canis (ELISA test) in 100% of the cases. Ophthalmoscopy was difficult or impossible in 64% of the cases due to the media opacity. Ultrasound findings noted were vitreous membranes with retinal attachment (100%); parietal lesions (granulomas) with high (80%) or medium (20%) reflectivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The most consistent ultrasound finding in the eye with toxocariasis was a high-reflectivity retinal mass, located in posterior pole or periphery, which may be calcified, and which has as main characteristic the adherence of vitreous membranes. In addition to clinical history, systemic evaluation and serology, the ultrasound can help in the diagnosis of ocular toxocariasis, especially in media opacities.
authors.affiliation: Setor de Ultrassonografia Ocular, Departamento de Oftalmologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fábio Barreto
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Morais
authors.forename: Ana Lúcia
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Maciel
authors.forename: Tiago Eugênio Farias e
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Arantes
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Muccioli
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Allemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000909:Antibodies, Helminth; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004285:Dogs; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006099:Granuloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007815:Larva Migrans; D008297:Male; D017166:Toxocara canis / Q000276:immunology; D014120:Toxocariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014605:Uveitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000909:Antibodies, Helminth