DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i01.014

Pages: 69-73

DF is an acute febrile illness characterized by the sudden onset of high fever, chills, headache, muscle and joint pain. Usually, the diagnosis of DF is suspected on the basis of clinical manifestations and laboratory results. The presumptive diagnosis of DF can be confirmed by serologic detection of the virus, detection of anti-dengue virus IgM antibodies or by NS1 antigen in patient’s serum. Anti-dengue virus IgG antibodies are used for detection of past dengue infection. Not only these serological tests expensive they are also not available at primary health centers and are not 100% sensitive. Therefore, additional diagnostic modalities for first-line evaluation of suspected DF patients are sought. Ultrasonography being non-invasive and easily available modality is being increasingly used in these patients. This study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital. The study population consisted of patients referred during a period of outbreak of dengue fever in the region in the year 2016. A total of 100 serologically positive patients referred for abdominal sonography were included in the study. Patients were sorted into four groups on basis of platelet counts. All patients were subjected to abdominal sonographic examination. Hepatomegaly was the most common finding in our study and was seen in 66 % of the patients. Gall bladder wall thickening was second most common finding and was seen in 51% of the patients. Peritoneal collection was seen in 39 % of the patients.