Role of Ultrasound in Common Fever Pathologies: Dengue, Malaria, Hepatitis and Typhoid Fever

Abstract

Background and objective: The objective of the following study is to determine the use of ultrasound as an important adjunct to clinical and laboratory diagnosis of major causes of fever and in predicting the severity of the disease by correlating imaging features with laboratory findings. Methods: In our study 40 patients (Ten of each pathology) of age between 20 to 50 years, who presented with fever and serologically diagnosed were referred for ultrasound scanning of the abdomen and thorax, and the findings were analysed. Result: Typhoid-Ultrasonographic findings were hepatomegaly-splenomegaly, well distended gall bladder with thickened wall, oedematous wall thickening of terminal ileum, ileo-caecal junction and caecum, multiple rounded hypoechoic mesenteric lymph nodes and. Dengue - Ultrasonographic findings were gall bladder wall thickening, bilateral pleural effusion, peritoneal free fluid, Hepato-Splenomegaly and pericardial effusion. Malaria -Ultrasonographic findings were huge splenomegaly with hepatomegaly. Viral hepatitis A and E- Ultrasonographic findings were collapsed gall bladder with thickened wall, pericholecystiticoedema, periportal lymph nodes and hepatomegaly. Conclusion: Though serological tests will definitely diagnose the cause of fever, due to its unavailability in all parts of India especially in the small set-ups, Ultrasonography findings can provide the basic idea about the pathology and can help in starting the appropriate management as soon as possible.