Laparoscopic findings in eight cases of liver fascioliasis

Laparoscopic findings observed in eight patients with fascioliasis are described, five cases in the invasive or acute phase of liver distomatosis, and three cases in the chronic phase. In all cases yellowish-white nodules of 1 to 4 mm in diameter were seen on the liver surface, and in four patients they also appeared on the parietal peritoneum. Close to these nodules, ribbed or vermiform formations of a color and consistency similar to that of the nodules were observed in five patients. It is thought that these findings correspond to parasitic microabscesses in contact with intrahepatic bile ducts. Other findings were areas of capsular thickening, adhesions, dilation of subcapsular lymph vessels and flattened zones of a cicatricial aspect. This last feature appeared only in the chronic form of the disease.