Sonographic diagnosis of small intestinal anisakiasis.

PURPOSE: We studied the utility of sonography in the early diagnosis of anisakiasis of the small intestine.

METHODS

The imaging findings and clinical data of 12 patients with proven small intestinal anisakiasis were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

Dominant sonographic findings were ascites, small bowel dilatation, and focal edema of Kerckring's folds.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients who have acute abdomen after recent ingestion of seafood and in whom ascites, small bowel dilatation, and focal edema of Kerckring's folds are seen by sonography should be suspected of having small intestinal anisakiasis and should be treated conservatively without laparotomy.