The Relevance of Ultrasonographic Evaluation in the Diagnosis of Dioctophymosis
Dioctophymosis is a parasitic disease produced by the nematode Dioctophyme renale, which has a high impact in endemic areas. In most of the cases, the parasite can affect the right kidney; however, it can be found free in the abdominal cavity or in ectopic locations. The aim of this summary is to describe the importance of ultrasound as a diagnostic method in this disease and to compare with the urinary sediment analysis. Two hundred thirteen canines (118 males and 95 females) who lived in an endemic area (Neighborhood "El Molino," Punta Lara, Argentina) were ultrasonographically evaluated using a microconvex transducer (4–9 MHz, Sonscape). A complete abdominal evaluation was carried out. In addition, a urine sample was collected from the male patients using a urethral catheter. The Dioctophyme was detected in the right kidney in 39 cases, in the left kidney in 1 case, and free in the abdominal cavity in 2 cases. Twenty-six of 118 males had a positive ultrasonographic diagnosis, while 16 dogs had eggs in the urinary sediment. Ultrasound is a suitable method for the detection of this parasitic disease, overall when the patient has a lack of clinical signs or the parasite has an ectopic location. When the analysis of urinary sediment in parasitized dogs is negative, the ultrasound can provide an accurate diagnosis of this disease. It is concluded the ultrasound is a reliable method for the diagnosis of Dioctophymosis.