Radiological diagnosis of acute gastric anisakiasis

The radiological and clinical features of 41 cases of acute gastric anisakiasis, a form of visceral larva migrans caused by eating poorly cooked fish containing Anisakis larvae, are reviewed. The most important radiological finding, present in 31 patients (76%), was the demonstation of a thread-like filling defect approximately 30 mm long. Suggestive but indeterminate findings such as coarse, broad gastric folds due to mucosal edema were demonstrated in 10 patients (24%). In no case was the radiological examination negative. Once the presence of this larva is suspected, it can often be demonstrated radiologically using careful technique and interpretation.