Learning objectives
To become familiar with the most common parasitic infectious processes involving the abdomen and pelvis and their imaging manifestations.
To learn about the imaging presentation of amebic infections of the abdomen,
their complications and image-guided management.
To understand the most common parasitic infections of the hepatobiliary,
peritoneal,
gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems and their related complications.
To describe the pathogenesis and pathways of dissemination of these infections in the abdomen.
Background
Epidemiology
The World Health Organization defines tropical disease as a group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries affecting more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year.
They mainly affect populations living in poverty,
without adequate sanitation and in close contact with infectious vectors and domestic animals (1,
2,
3).
The so-called "neglected tropical diseases" are composed of 13 conditions among the most common chronic infections in the world’s poorest people,
which include...
Findings and procedure details
Helminthic Diseases
Helminthic diseases include ascariasis,
trichuriasis,
schistosomiasis,
strongyloidiasis and fasciola,
among others.
They are highly prevalent,
affect world wide,
and include flat,
tape and round worms.
These parasites are spread commonly by fecal – oral route,
skin penetration by larvae,
and vector arthropods (4,
5).
Helminthic diseases have high morbidity & mortality rates,
affecting around 2 billion people globally.
Children are among the most affected with malnutrition,
anaemia,
and bowel obstruction.
They cause complications such as iron deficiency anaemia,
seizures,
portal hypertension and chronic...
Conclusion
In summary,
we have reviewed the imaging manifestations of some of the most prevalent tropical diseases in the abdomen,
including helminthic infections,
amebiasis,
malaria and some viral infections.
It is very important for us as radiologists to be aware of these neglected diseases and their imaging manifestations,
as we play a critical role in the initial diagnosis and management of their complications.
Several key points can be highlighted,
though:
Tropical diseases have a global importance and include a variety of infections with different etiologies.
Parasitic...
References
1.
Hotez PJ,
Molyneux DH,
Fenwick A,
Kumaresan J,
Sachs SE,
Sachs JD,
et al.
Control of Neglected Tropical Diseases.
N Engl J Med.
2007;357(10):1018–27.
2.
Hotez PJ,
Fenwick A,
Savioli L,
Molyneux DH.
Rescuing the bottom billion through control of neglected tropical diseases.
Lancet.
2009;373(9674):1570–5.
3.
Manderson L,
Aagaard-Hansen J,
Allotey P,
Gyapong M,
Sommerfeld J.
Social research on neglected diseases of poverty: Continuing and emerging themes.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis.
2009;3(2):1–6.
4.
Swanson SJ,
Phares CR,
Mamo B,
Smith KE,
Cetron MS,
Stauffer...