Early Detection of Dengue Fever in Clinicaly Suspected Patients-An Ultrasound Study

Abstract

Background: Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that in recent years has become a major international public health problem. Purpose:This study was conducted to assess the sonographic findings in patients with dengue fever. Methods: A total of 112 patients who were clinically suspected of dengue underwent abdominal sonography on admission at our emergency department . The diagnosis of dengue fever was subsequently confirmed by serology in 86 patients. The study was conducted from September 2016 to January 2017 using LOGIC P5 USG machine at LG hospital, Ahmedabad. Results:Out of the 86 patients seropositive for dengue ,the sonographic feature of thickened gall bladder wall was noted in a total of 53 patients (61%). Gall bladder wall thickening as the only finding was noted in 12 patients (14%). The maximum thickness noted was 6.3mm and the smallest thickness noted was 2.4mm. Average thickness of the gall bladder was 3.4 mm ± 1mm. Other ultrasound findings such ascites was noted in 21 patients (24%), splenomegaly in 11 patients (12.7%), and pleural effusion in 23 patients (26%); pleural effusion was either rightsided or bilateral. Pleural effusion as the only finding was noted in 12 patients. In 21 sero positive patients (24%) no significant ultrasound findings were seen. 26 patients were seronegative and showed no significant ultrasound findings. Conclusion: Abdominal sonography for gall bladder wall thickening can be used as a firstline imaging modality in patients with suspected dengue fever to detect early signs suggestive of the disease prior to obtaining serologic confirmation test results, especially in a dengue fever epidemic area. Sonographic examinations are useful as an additional diagnostic tool for the prediction of dengue fever. A thickened gallbladder wall is a useful sonographic finding that can help in the detection. Early detection of dengue has a significant role in reduction of morbidity and mortality with better prognosis.