Radiologic analysis of amebiasis

Kim, S Y; Lee, Y H; Park, C Y

Abstract

The amebiasis is a common disease in Korea as well as worldwide especially frequent in tropical area such asIndia, Africa and South America. The diagnosis of amebiasis remain difficult and complex, despite of manydiagnostic methods, for example, direct stool test for ameba, many immunologic studies and biopsy. Authorsanalized radiologically the patients who have had confirmed as a amebiasis from June, 1976 to Sep. 1979 at YonseiUniversity, College of Medicine, Severance hospital. The results as follows; 1. The amebic liver abscess was amost common from of the amebiasis in Korea, which were 40 cases among 56 cases. Plain abdomen showed hugehepatomegally, compression and displacement in hepatic flexure of colon, and refex gas distension in almost cases.Chest P-A showed nonspecific right lower lung findings from secondary to right upper abdominal pathology, such aselevated right diaphragm(61.3%), pleural effusion (60.0%), right lower lung consolidation (37.5%) and abscesscavities(5.0%). Liver scan showed large space occupying lesions, most commonly situated in right lobe of liver(68.6%). 2. Among total 15 cases of the amebic colitis, positive findings on barium enema were 80%. Barium enamashowed spasm and irritability (89.2%), narrowing of lumen and lack of distensibility (71.4%) and deformity ofcecum(20.0%), Involved site was cecum, ascending colon, rectosigmoid, transverse and descending colon in order offrequency. Unusual involvement of terminal ileum was 2 cases. 3. Combined cases of amebic liver abscess andcolitis were 4 cases (27.7%).