Dengue haemorrhagic fever: ultrasound as an aid to predict the severity of the disease

Pediatr Radiol. 1998 Jan;28(1):1-4. doi: 10.1007/s002470050281.

Abstract

In a prospective study, the relationship between the clinical severity of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF) and the sonographic findings was examined. The study comprised 73 cases classified as mild (grades I-II) and 75 as severe (grades III-IV). Ultrasonography in the mild group revealed pleural effusions in 30%, ascites in 34%, gallbladder wall thickening in 32%, hepatomegaly in 49%, splenomegaly in 16%, and pancreatic enlargement in 14%. In the severe group, pleural effusions, ascites and gallbladder wall thickening were found in 95%, pararenal and perirenal fluid collections in 77%, hepatic and splenic subcapsular fluid collections in 9%, pericardial effusion in 8%, hepatomegaly in 56%, splenomegaly in 16%, and pancreatic gland enlargement in 44%. Ultrasound may be useful for early prediction of the severity of DHF in children.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ascites / diagnostic imaging
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Gallbladder / diagnostic imaging
  • Hepatomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Pancreas / diagnostic imaging
  • Pleural Effusion / diagnostic imaging
  • Prospective Studies
  • Severe Dengue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Splenomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Ultrasonography