title: Ultrasonographic pattern of plasma leak in dengue haemorrhagic fever.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To note ultrasonographic findings used for diagnosing plasma leakage in dengue haemorrhagic fever patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The observational retrospective study was conducted at the Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi and comprised records of patients with confirmed dengue infection who were screened for dengue haemorrhagic fever according to Dengue Expert Advisory Group criteria from July 1 to December 31, 2013. Each patient underwent ultrasonography for the detection of ascites, gall bladder wall thickness, pleural and/or pericardial effusion along with their quantification and localisation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 240 patients, 166(69.2%) were men. The overall mean age was 28.9±12.4 years. Of the total, 215(89.5%) had ultrasonographic abnormalities, suggestive of plasma leakage. Quantification and localisation wise, mild abdominal ascites 68(47.2%), right pleural effusion 82(74.5%) and mild pleural effusion 98(89%) were commonly noted. None had pericardial effusion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mild ascites and mild right pleural effusion were the commonest pattern of ultrasonographic leak in dengue haemorrhagic fever patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, 4Physician, Ministry of Health, KSA.
authors.forename: Muhammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khurram
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, 4Physician, Ministry of Health, KSA.
authors.forename: Wajeeha
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qayyum
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, 4Physician, Ministry of Health, KSA.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Umar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, 4Physician, Ministry of Health, KSA.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jawad
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Shumaila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mumtaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi.
authors.forename: Hamam Tul
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Bushra Khaar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D018495:Fluid Shifts; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D010996:Pleural Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019595:Severe Dengue / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Dengue, Dengue haemorrhagic fever, Ultrasonography, Ascites, Pleural effusion.