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Acute intestinal anisakiasis: CT findings.
Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica
|October 23, 2012
Summary
Small bowel anisakiasis, caused by Anisakis larvae in raw fish, is uncommon. A case highlights its potential mimicry of acute abdominal conditions, emphasizing diagnostic considerations after raw fish consumption.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Small bowel anisakiasis is a rare parasitic infection from consuming raw or undercooked marine fish harboring Anisakis larvae.
- Symptoms often mimic other acute abdominal conditions, posing diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of intestinal anisakiasis.
- To highlight the computed tomography (CT) findings associated with this condition.
- To emphasize the importance of considering anisakiasis in the differential diagnosis of acute abdominal syndromes.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 63-year-old woman with acute abdominal complaints.
- Review of clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging.
- Computed tomography (CT) scan analysis of the small bowel and surrounding structures.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with acute abdominal symptoms one day after eating raw herring.
- CT scan revealed characteristic findings: distal small bowel wall thickening, mucosal hyperenhancement, mural stratification, dilated bowel loops with fluid, and mesenteric hyperemia.
- These findings are consistent with acute small bowel inflammation.
Conclusions:
- Anisakiasis should be considered in patients with acute abdominal symptoms and a history of raw marine fish ingestion, especially when CT shows features of acute small bowel inflammation.
- Prompt diagnosis and consideration of anisakiasis can aid in appropriate patient management.
- This case underscores the utility of CT imaging in identifying the parasitic infection.
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