Dance of live adult filarial worms is a reliable sign of scrotal filarial infection.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the value of the filarial dance sign as a diagnostic sign of scrotal filarial infection and to recognize unsuspected scrotal filariasis by this sign.

METHODS

Eight symptomatic patients in whom the filarial dance sign was shown on high-resolution ultrasonography were studied, investigated, and followed after treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate. Two patients underwent fine-needle aspiration.

RESULTS

Multiple foci (nests) of motile (live) filarial worms were observed in most patients. Fine-needle aspiration of the dilated lymphatic vessels in 2 patients confirmed the presence of microfilariae. Five of 8 patients had a favorable response to treatment with diethylcarbamazine citrate.

CONCLUSIONS

High-resolution ultrasonography is a useful technique for diagnosing scrotal filariasis in symptomatic patients and is very useful in the follow-up period for assessing the response of worms to treatment.