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Cimini A, Ricci M, Gigliotti PE, Pugliese L, Chiaravalloti A, Danieli R, Schillaci O. Medical Imaging in the Diagnosis of Schistosomiasis: A Review. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081058. [PMID: 34451522 PMCID: PMC8401107 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Schistosomiasis is one of the most important parasitic diseases and it is endemic in tropical and subtropical areas. Clinical and laboratory data are fundamental for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, but diagnostic imaging techniques such as x-rays, ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) may be helpful in the evaluation of disease severity and complications. In this context, the aim of this review is to explore the actual role of diagnostic imaging in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis, underlining advantages and drawbacks providing information about the utilization of diagnostic imaging techniques in this context. Furthermore, we aim to provide a useful guide regarding imaging features of schistosomiasis for radiology and nuclear medicine physicians of non-endemic countries: in fact, in the last years non-endemic countries have experienced important flows of migrants from endemic areas, therefore it is not uncommon to face cases of this disease in daily practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Cimini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-(06)-20902467
| | - Maria Ricci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
| | - Paola Elda Gigliotti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
| | - Luca Pugliese
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Department of Radiology, San Giovanni Calibita Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Via di Ponte di Quattro Capi 39, 00186 Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Chiaravalloti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Nuclear Medicine Section, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Roberta Danieli
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, University San Raffaele, Via di Val Cannuta 247, 00166 Rome, Italy;
| | - Orazio Schillaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University Tor Vergata, Via Cracovia 50, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.R.); (P.E.G.); (L.P.); (A.C.); (O.S.)
- Nuclear Medicine Section, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Neuromed, Via Atinense 18, 86077 Pozzilli, Italy
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