Eosinophilic abscesses: a new facet of hepatic visceral larva migrans

Abdom Imaging. 2013 Aug;38(4):774-7. doi: 10.1007/s00261-012-9935-x.

Abstract

Hepatic visceral larva migrans (VLM) refers to a condition characterized by granulomatous liver lesions containing eosinophils and inflammatory cells associated with migration of second-stage larvae of certain nematodes such as toxocara canis. The typical imaging findings described in the literature include small, ill-defined, oval or elongated, low-attenuating nodules with fuzzy margins, non-spherical shape, and absent or insignificant rim enhancement on contrast-enhanced CT scan. The present series in contrast depicts a new imaging manifestation of hepatic VLM presenting as confluent and clustered complex cystic liver lesions. Pre-treatment imaging studies including contrast-enhanced CT/MRI of three patients are presented. One of the patients underwent liver resection while post-treatment follow-up scan at 6 months in the remaining two displayed regression of the lesions with antihelminthic treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Eosinophilia / parasitology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Larva Migrans, Visceral
  • Liver Abscess / parasitology*
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged