Ultrasound findings in children with toxocariasis: report on 18 cases

Abstract

Purpose. To evaluate abdominal ultrasound (US) findings in children infected with Toxocara canis. Materials and methods. Eighteen children, 18 months to 7 years of age, with serological diagnosis of T. canis infection underwent abdominal US. Eosinophil counts, hemoglobin levels and immunoglobulin E titers were measured for all patients. Results. Abdominal ultrasound revealed multiple hypoechoic areas in the livers of 15 patients (83.3 %). Hepatohilar lymph-node enlargement was present in 14 patients (77.7 %), 2 of whom also showed peripancreatic lymph-node enlargement. Hepatomegaly was present in 13 patients (72.7 %) and splenomegaly in 9 (50 %). Conclusion. The most prevalent findings of abdominal ultrasound examination of children with T. canis infection are hepatic granulomas and abdominal lymph-node enlargement. This infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any children who exhibit these findings on abdominal US examination, especially for those with eosinophilia.