Ultrasonographic and portal hemodynamic changes in hepatic schistosomiasis patients after treatment with praziquantel

ABSTRACT

The study included 40 schistosomal cases that divided into 2 groups Group I [with early schistosomal hepatic fibrosis], and group II [with late schistosomal hepatic fibrosis]. Abdominal and duplex-Doppler ultrasound changes were studied for every case before and 6 months after PZQ therapy in a single dose of 60 mg/kg. In group I, portal vein diameter was significantly reduced after therapy, while group II showed insignificant change. Patients with periportal fibrosis grade 1 and grade 2 showed significant decrease in the degree of fibrosis in group I and no significant difference was recorded in group II. Hepatic fibrosis grade 3 showed no significant change. Duplex-Doppler study showed significant increase in maximum and mean velocity of blood flow in portal vein after praziquantel in group I but no significant change in group II. Accordingly, it was concluded that praziquantel may result in reversal of periportal fibrosis especially in early stage after schistosomal infection