Relationship between intensity of Opisthorchis viverrini infection and hepatobiliary disease detected by ultrasonography

Abstract

Twenty-four locality-, age- and sex-matched groups of village residents with no light, moderate and heavy Opisthorchis viverrini infection were examined by ultrasonography. Highly significant differences were observed between the groups in the relative size of the left lobe of the liver and the fasting and post-meal size of the gall-bladder. In addition, indistinct gall-bladder wall, the presence of gall-bladder sludge and strongly enhanced portal vein radicle echoes were most frequently observed in the heavily infected group. Two suspected cases of cholangiocarcinoma were identified from the heavy group. The results highlight the importance of intensity of infection on the frequency and severity of fluke-associated hepatobiliary disease.

Trends in Incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma, 1990 - 2009, Khon Kaen, Thailand

“…According to the medical practice in those advanced cases, operations were performed in limited indicative candidates and thus, the histology was obtained in limited number (7%). However, ultrasonography and computer tomography have been reported to confirm the diagnosis of HCC and CHCA sensitively (Mairiang et al, 2006). In addition, AFP is also helpful to differentiate HCC and CHCA since it basically increases in patient with HCC.…”

Human liver flukes

“…Obstructive jaundice may occur in heavy infections (23) . Hepatomegaly, often more pronounced in the left hepatic lobe (25) , is common and can be greater than 7cm below the costal margin in heavy infections. Splenomegaly is a rare finding (23) .…”

Obstructive biliary ascariasis with cholangitis and hepatic abscesses in Laos: A case report with gall bladder ultrasound video

“…6 Other helminths may be found in the gallbladder but have distinctive features on ultrasonography; Opisthorchis viverrini infection can cause gall-bladder sludge yet without sonographically visible parasites. 7 In Clonorchis sinensis infection floating echogenic foci in the gallbladder up to 0.8 cm long may indicate the parasites or desquamated material. 8 Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica are leaf shaped, not round in cross section, and have been described as hyperechogenic elements with or without acoustic shadowing 9 or just causing a thickened gallbladder wall.…”