[The worm in the liver].

Patients with parasitic involvement of the liver are a small group of patients in European countries. In the differential diagnosis of "hepatic mass" "pain in the right upper abdomen" "biliary obstruction" or "abnormal liver function tests" parasites are, if at all, considered last. In most health care centers diagnostic and management experience is limited with respect to these diseases. They should therefore been taken care of by specialized centers. In most countries these are centers for tropical diseases. Important components of the work up of patients with parasitic diseases are: risk assessment (place of origin, travel and exposure), geographic distribution of the parasites, incubation period, prepatent period, laboratory investigations (eosinophilia, IgE, direct parasitological diagnosis) and imaging studies. Important parasites with liver involvement will be presented: schistosomiasis, echinococcosis, fascioliasis, toxocariasis.