Ultrasonographic features of pseudotumorous form of ascariasis

We report the ultrasonographic findings of a 60 year old woman with pseudot umorous form of ascariasis. Real-time ultrasonographic examination using a curved array transducer revealed grossly thickened small bowel loops, multi ple small circular deposits throughout the peritoneal cavity, and a moderat e amount of ascites. The English literature: on the different forms of abdo minal ascariasis is reviewed. Specific signs, which include the 'strip' sig n, the 'four-lines', 'inner tube', or 'double tube' sign, the 'bull's eye' or 'target' sign, a 'worm mass' or 'spaghetti-like' appearance, and the 'zi g-zag' sign can be present in any form of abdominal ascariasis, as they rep resent the image of the Ascaris worms visualized under ultrasonographic exa mination. However, the non-specific signs are not peculiar to A. lumbricoid es infections, but are results of secondary changes due to A. lumbricoides infections in the corresponding organs. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland L td. All rights reserved.