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Hepatic toxocariasis: US, CT and MRI findings
A Kabaalioğlu1, K Ceken, E Alimoğlu
1Department of Radiology, Akdeniz University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey. adnank@akdeniz.edu.tr
Ultraschall in Der Medizin (Stuttgart, Germany : 1980)
|August 27, 2005
Summary
Visceral larva migrans (VLM), typically a childhood illness, can manifest as hepatic toxocariasis in adults. Ultrasound reveals characteristic liver lesions, aiding diagnosis in cases mimicking hepatitis or malignancy.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Parasitology
- Hepatology
Background:
- Visceral larva migrans (VLM) is primarily a pediatric disease, characterized by fever and multi-systemic manifestations.
- Adult VLM is rare, often presenting with non-specific symptoms, making diagnosis challenging.
Observation:
- A case of hepatic toxocariasis in an adult woman is presented.
- Ultrasonography identified a solitary, ill-defined hypoechoic hepatic lesion with acoustic enhancement.
- Associated findings included enlarged periportal lymph nodes and dilated intrahepatic bile ducts.
Findings:
- Sonographic and biopsy findings suggested toxocariasis.
- The diagnosis was confirmed via ELISA.
- Ultrasound findings indicative of hepatic toxocariasis include focal liver lesions, hepatosplenomegaly, biliary dilatation, sludge, and periportal lymphadenopathy.
Implications:
- Adult hepatic toxocariasis can present with cholestasis, mimicking hepatitis or malignancy.
- Imaging techniques, particularly ultrasound, are crucial for diagnosing hepatic toxocariasis in adults.
- Awareness of specific ultrasound findings is essential for clinicians to consider toxocariasis in differential diagnoses.