Sonographic images of hepato-pancreatico-biliary and intestinal ascariasis: A pictorial review

ABSTRACT: Despite advancement in the diagnosis and treatment of intestinal helminthiasis, ascariasis remains the most common cause of helminthic infections in the developing countries. Ultrasound offers a rapid, safe, and noninvasive approach to the diagnosis of intestinal ascariasis. Ultrasound is also the modality of choice for diagnosis of hepatobiliary ascariasis, which is relatively rare and is due to migration of intestinal worms through the papilla of Vater. We present an imaging spectrum of hepato-pancreatico-biliary and intestinal ascariasis. MAIN MESSAGES: • Ascariasis refer to infestation by the round worm ascaris lumbricoides. • Ascaris eggs are excreted in faeces and are infective to humans. • Eggs hatch to larva, travel to the lungs and mature to adult worms. • Intestinal obstruction can be caused by multiple ascariasis forming bag of worms.