Objective:The objective of the following study is to determine the use of ultrasound as an important adjunct to clinical and laboratory profile in diagnosing dengue fever and in predicting the severity of the disease by correlating imaging features with platelet count. The variation in sonographic features seen in patients from different age groups was also studied.Materials and Methods:This is a retrospective study. 96 patients who were serologically diagnosed as having dengue fever between April and August 2012 were referred for ultrasound scanning of the abdomen and thorax and the imaging findings were analyzed.Results:Out of 96 sero-positive dengue cases, 64 (66.7%) patients showed edematous gallbladder (GB) wall thickening, 62 (64.5%) patients showed ascites, 48 (50%) patients had pleural effusion, 17 (17.7%) patients had hepatomegaly, 16 (16.7%) patients had splenomegaly and in 17 (17.7%) patients ultrasound findings were normal. Edematous GB wall thickening, ascites and pleural effusion were the most common combination of findings in all age groups. Edematous GB wall thickening was seen in 97.8% of patients with platelet count of less than 40,000 along with ascites (86.9%) and pleural effusion (58.6%). In patients with platelet count between 40,000 and 80,000 ascites was more common than edematous GB wall thickening. Significantly no abnormal sonographic finding was detected in patient with platelet count more than 150,000.Conclusion:Sonographic features of thickened GB wall, pleural effusion (bilateral or right side), ascites, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly should strongly favor the diagnosis of dengue fever in patients presenting with fever and associated symptoms, particularly during an epidemic. The degree of thrombocytopenia showed a significant direct relationship to abnormal ultrasound features.

This case series emphasizes the role of USG in the diagnosis of isolated soft tissue cysticercosis. We assessed its value for identifying features such as the location of the cyst, the presence or absence of abscess, and the presence or absence of a scolex within the cyst. Three USG patterns were seen and are described.

Context:To evaluate the additional information that susceptibility weighted sequences and datasets would provide in acute stroke.Aims:The aim of this study were to assess the value addition of susceptibility weighted magnetic resonance imaging (SWI) of brain in patients with acute arterial infarct.Materials and Methods:All patients referred for a complete brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between March 2010 and March 2011 at our institution had SWI as part of routine MRI (T1, T2, and diffusion imaging). Retrospective study of 62 consecutive patients with acute arterial infarct was evaluated for the presence of macroscopic hemorrhage, petechial micro-bleeds, dark middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign and prominent vessels in the vicinity of infarct.Results:SWI was found to detect hemorrhage not seen on other routine MRI sequences in 22 patients. Out of 62 patients, 17 (10 petechial) had hemorrhage less than 50% and 5 patients had greater than 50% area of hemorrhage. A “dark artery sign” due to thrombus within the artery was seen in 8 out of 62 patients. Prominent cortical and intraparenchymal veins were seen in 14 out of 62 patients.Conclusions:SWI has been previously shown to be sensitive in detecting hemorrhage; however is not routinely used in stroke evaluation. Our study shows that SWI, by virtue of identifying unsuspected hemorrhage, central occluded vessel, and venous congestion is additive in value to the routine MR exam and should be part of a routine MR brain in patients suspected of having an acute infarct.

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