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Resurgence of intestinal ascariasis among adults: radiological diagnosis and clinical implications

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Abstract

To report the radiological features of intestinal ascariasis and to review the clinical implications of this re-emerging disease for adult population of the USA. This retrospective observational study involved 12 adult patients, whose radiological examinations disclosed unsuspected presence of ascaris in their intestinal tract. They were evaluated by computed tomography of the abdomen with oral contrast, small bowel series with barium, and magnetic resonance enterography. This series included 7 men and 5 women, who ranged in age from 19 to 72 years (mean age 48 years). The typical configuration of ascaris within the bowel loops was demonstrated on CT of the abdomen in 5 patients, small bowel examination with barium in 3, and by MR enterography in another 4 cases. Our study highlights the radiological appearances of intestinal ascariasis and the clinical implications of this resurging disease. The practicing radiologists should be aware of these findings, particularly when examining patients who have immigrated from or traveled to the endemic regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, University of California-San Diego Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive, San Diego, CA, 92103, USA

    Gary G. Ghahremani & Michael E. Hahn

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  1. Gary G. Ghahremani
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  2. Michael E. Hahn
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Correspondence to Gary G. Ghahremani.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no disclosure relevant to the subject matter of this article.

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Due to the retrospective review of the already performed and medically warranted examinations, the patients consent and IRB approval were waived.

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Ghahremani, G.G., Hahn, M.E. Resurgence of intestinal ascariasis among adults: radiological diagnosis and clinical implications. Abdom Radiol 47, 915–922 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00261-022-03407-6

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