[Laparoscopic findings in liver fascioliasis. Study of 13 cases]

The laparoscopic findings in 13 patients with liver fasciolasis are described. Diagnosis was made in three cases in base of the presence of ova Fasciola Hepatica in the patient's faeces and in 10 cases, because they fulfilled the following conditions: ingestion of fresh watercress, eosinophilic count exceeding 30%, positive serologic tests, eosinophilic granulomas with Charcot-Leyden crystals in liver biopsy and good response to treatment with dihidroemetine or bithionol. Nine cases (68.2%) showed hepatomegaly. In 12 of 13 (92.3%) lesions suggestive of hepatic distomatosis were found. Hepatic nodules of different sizes and shapes could be seen in 10 patients (76.9%), Glisson capsule was involved in five cases (38.4%) and peritoneum in three (23%). The latter was always affected with the liver but, on the other hand, liver capsule was found affected alone in two cases. In our experience, laparoscopy with liver biopsy is an important method for diagnosis of abdominal fasciolasis.