Contribution of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Periportal Fibrosis Caused by Schistosomiasis

BACKGROUND: Periportal fibrosis is one of the major complications of schistosomiasis infection. Specific images of this infection revealed by ultrasonography allow the assessment of the different stages. Our purpose is to describe the ultrasonographic appearances of periportal fibrosis due to schistosomiasis infection. METHODS: The study was retrospective descriptive in the Medical Imagery Centre of CHUJRA. RESULTS: A total of 29 patients showed upper and/or lower digestive hemorrhage and a positive result in schistosomiasis serology. The median age was 41.2 years. Male gender dominated with 54.7%. In 78.3% of the cases, the patients were farmers in schistosomiasis-endemic areas. On ultrasonography, 81.3% were found to present Stage III periportal fibrosis, 11.5% presented Stage II, and 7.2% presented Stage I. There was no case of portal thrombosis. Splenomegaly was found in 83.2% of the cases and hepatomegaly in 48.9% of the cases. Porto-systemic shunt was detected in 80.7% of the cases and ascites in 72.3%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography examination represents an important role in the diagnosis of periportal fibrosis, in its staging process, and allows the assessment of porto-systemic, hepatic, and splenic alterations.