ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE OF ABNORMAL LYMPHATIC VESSELS IN YOUNG MEN WITH ADULT WUCHERERIA-BANCROFTI INFECTION IN THE SCROTAL AREA

Purpose: We determined the prevalence and magnitude of dilatation of t he lymphatic vessels of the spermatic cord in men infected with Wucher eria bancrofti, which is a known major cause of hydrocele in the tropi cs. Materials and Methods: Scrotal ultrasound was performed with a 7.5 MHz, transducer in 78 men from Recife, Brazil (endemic for filariasis ) and in 15 from a nonendemic area. Results: Among men from Recife the lymphatic vessels were dilated (1.3 to 15.0 mm., mean 3.8) at the loc ation of the adult worm. Vessel diameter was not associated with hydro cele. Conclusions: Lymphatic dilatation was observed in all men with u ltrasonographically detectable W. bancrofti infection, even those who were asymptomatic.