[Discussion on ultrasonographic characteristics of schistosomal appendicitis lesions]

Objective: To discuss the ultrasonographic characteristics of schistosomal appendicitis lesions.

Methods: Among the patients with schistosomal hepatopathy who were discovered by Color Doppler ultrasound in Huzhou Central Hospital from January 2012 to December 2015, 50 cases with clear history of schistosomiasis and treatment were chosen as a schistosomal hepatopathy group, meanwhile, 50 normal people, who came from non-endemic areas, without schistosomal hepatopathy and schistosomiasis history were chosen as a control group. The two groups were examined by ultrasound scan of the appendix, and the data of the largest diameter of the appendix and the thickness of the appendix wall were collected, and the sonographic characteristics of their appendixes, such as whether the echo of the appendix wall was even or not, were observed.

Results: The minimum internal diameter of the appendix cavity and the thickness of the appendix wall of the schistosomal hepatopathy group were (2.090 ± 0.790) mm and (1.332 ± 0.313) mm, respectively, the former was significantly narrower than that of the control group, while the latter was significantly thicker than that of the control group (t = 2.647, - 4.526, respectively, both P＜0.05). The proportions of those with inhomogeneous echo, indistinctness structure, uneven thickening of the appendix wall, as well as having intestinal contents in the appendix cavity in the schistosomal hepatopathy group were higher than those in the control group (χ² = 12.000, 18.537, 24.008, 4.244, respectively, all P＜0.05).

Conclusions: Schistosomal appendicitis lesions have obvious ultrasonographic characteristics under ultrasound. Ultrasound can play an important role in judging whether the appendix of schistosomiasis patients is involved and discovering the lesion of appendix early.