[Radiological findings in patients with imported schistosomiasis].
BACKGROUND
Imaging techniques, primarily ultrasound, are useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with schistosomiasis in endemic areas.


METHODS
Study of 219 patients treated in sub-Saharan Tropical Medicine Unit with a diagnosis of imported schistosomiasis by imaging techniques investigations including plain abdominal radiography and ultrasound.


RESULTS
A total of 17.8% of patients who had an abdominal X-ray showed findings suggestive of schistosomiasis, in most cases bladder calcifications. In 73 patients (41%) ultrasound showed pathological findings, mainly diffuse or focal wall thickening (26 patients), nodular lesions (n=14), and pseudopolyps (n=8). One patient, who had a large bladder mass (9cm) and bilateral ureterohydronephrosis, was finally diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the bladder. Ultrasound liver abnormalities were found in 10 patients, 4 with signs of portal hypertension, of which 3 had the characteristic periportal fibrosis in schistosomiasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Imaging studies, especially abdominal and bladder ultrasound, are useful for diagnosis, the study of disease and monitoring of patients with schistosomiasis in non-endemic countries.
Unidad de Medicina Tropical, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, Spain. joaquinsalascoronas@yahoo.es
Joaquín
J
Salas-Coronas
José
J
Vázquez-Villegas
Antonio
A
Villarejo-Ordóñez
José Carlos
JC
Sánchez-Sánchez
José
J
Espada-Chavarría
Manuel Jesús
MJ
Soriano-Pérez
M Isabel
MI
Cabeza-Barrera
M Teresa
MT
Cabezas-Fernández
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000208:ethnology; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015897:Comorbidity; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology; D006525:Hepatitis, Viral, Human / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006975:Hypertension, Portal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000208:ethnology; D011859:Radiography; D012553:Schistosomiasis haematobia / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000208:ethnology; D012555:Schistosomiasis mansoni / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000208:ethnology; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000208:ethnology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult