Role of sonography in the assessment of dengue fever with serological correlation.

Background: Dengue, caused by a flavivirus has emerged as a major public health problem in the Indian subcontinent. This study was to assess severity of disease by ultrasound findings and to correlate ultrasound findings with blood platelet count. Methods: A Cross sectional study carried out on 210 subjects who had serologically proven dengue fever were included in the study. Ultrasound of abdomen, pelvis and thorax was performed and imaging features were analysed by descriptive and analytical statistics using SPSS version 16. Chi-Square test used and P values ≤ 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Mean age of patients 42± 19 years with 106(50.5%) males and 104(49.5%) females. The Gall bladder wall thickening was noted in majority (92.8%) of the study subjects followed by Right peri-renal collection in 112(53.3%), Splenomegaly in 105(50.0%) subjects and Hepatomegaly in 66(31.4%). The sonographic abnormalities including Gall bladder wall thickening, Right, Left and Bilateral perirenal collection, Splenomegaly, Hepatomegaly, Right and Left pleural effusion, were significantly higher in study subjects with decreased platelet count. Ascites was the commonest finding in 76 study subjects with platelet count between 60000-79000 (36.2%) and in 144 study subjects (68.5%) in the 20-59 years age group. As the platelet count decreased the severity of ascites increased and was statistically significant (p≤0.05). Conclusions: A patient who presents with sonographically recognizable complications is more likely to have disease that requires immediate and aggressive management.