Radiology, Vol 183, 97-99, Copyright © 1992 by Radiological Society of North America
Anisakiasis of the colon: radiologic and endoscopic features in six patients
T Matsumoto, M Iida, Y Kimura, K Tanaka, T Kitada and M Fujishima
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
The radiologic and endoscopic findings in six patients with anisakiasis of
the colon were analyzed. The diagnosis was based on the demonstration of
Anisakis larvae at radiography or on elevated serum levels of antibodies to
this parasite. All patients reported abdominal symptoms 12-23 hours after
the ingestion of raw fish. Double-contrast barium enema examination,
performed 2-4 days after the onset of syptoms in all the patients, revealed
that the right side of the colon was frequently affected by edema, which
was radiographically demonstrated as luminal narrowing and thumbprinting.
In addition, the worm was shown at radiography in four patients.
Colonoscopy, performed 1-7 days after the onset of symptoms, revealed
edematous mucosa, characterized by narrowing and multiple smooth and round
protrusions, in all four of the patients studied, but it failed to
demonstrate the worm in any patient. The authors believe that the
demonstration of these features, together with a history of raw fish
ingestion, is essential for the diagnosis of this disorder.
