Rectocolonic calcification due to schistosomiasis. A clinicoradiologic study

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Parasitology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that can affect various organs.
• Calcification in affected organs is a known complication of chronic schistosomiasis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and significance of radiologically visible rectocolonic calcification in patients with schistosomiasis.
• To correlate imaging findings with clinical and histological evidence of the disease.

Main Methods:

• Intravenous pyelography was performed on four patients.
• Colonoscopy and histological examination of tissue samples were conducted.
• Radiological findings were analyzed for calcification in the rectocolon and urinary tract.

Main Results:

• All four patients exhibited radiologically visible calcification in the rectocolon and urinary tract.
• Colonoscopic examination revealed mild proctocolitis in all patients.
• Histological analysis confirmed the presence of multiple calcified schistosomal ova in the submucosa.

Conclusions:

• Radiologically visible rectocolonic calcification in schistosomiasis may be more common than currently reported.
• This imaging finding is associated with a clinically mild or latent form of the disease.