Imaging diagnosis of clonorchiasis

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Parasitology
• Hepatology

Background:

• Radiologic examinations are crucial for diagnosing clonorchiasis (Clonorchis sinensis infection).
• Previous reports focused on general imaging findings, often unable to distinguish active from cured infections.
• Recent studies explore specific imaging markers for active clonorchiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize radiologic findings associated with clonorchiasis.
• To identify imaging characteristics that differentiate active from cured Clonorchis sinensis infections.
• To correlate imaging findings with infection severity and worm burden.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiologic studies on clonorchiasis over the past two decades.
• Analysis of imaging findings from sonography, CT, and MR imaging.
• Correlation of imaging features with clinical data, including worm burden (EPG counts).

Main Results:

• Diffuse peripheral intrahepatic bile duct dilation is a common finding.
• Increased periductal echogenicity (sonography) and periductal enhancement (CT/MRI) suggest active clonorchiasis.
• Imaging findings correlate with worm burden and disease severity.
• Cholangiocarcinoma associated with clonorchiasis presents with tumor obstruction and peripheral bile duct dilation.

Conclusions:

• Radiologic imaging is a practical diagnostic tool for clonorchiasis.
• Specific imaging features can help identify active infections and assess severity.
• Imaging plays a role in diagnosing clonorchiasis-associated cholangiocarcinoma.