Dance of live adult filarial worms is a reliable sign of scrotal filarial infection.
JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2003;
22:765-772. [PMID:
12901402 DOI:
10.7863/jum.2003.22.8.765]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
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.
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