Exploring the Various Radiological Observations and Appearances in Patients with Dengue Fever; A Retrospective Observational Approach

Abstract

Objective: To assess the range of radiological observations in patients testing positive for dengue serology.

Methodology: This retrospective, observational study was conducted at Islamabad Diagnostic Center, Islamabad from September 2022 to March 2023. The Ethical Committee approved this study. All the individuals who arrived at the IDC, Islamabad, complaining of fever and tested positive for dengue serology, from September 2022 to March 2023, were included in our study. A total of 240 patients met these criteria. Patient details, including age and gender, were obtained from the center’s computer system.

Results: Severe cases of dengue fever, including thrombocytopenia, were observed in 62 out of 240 patients (25.83%), while mild clinical presentations were noted in rest of the 178 patients (74.16%). The most mutual radiological outcome was wall edema of the gall bladder (figure 2a), seen in 113 out of 240 patients (47.08%). This was followed by ascites (2b), that were observed in 38.33% (n=92) cases. Hepatomegaly was noted in 10.83% (n=26) (2c), splenomegaly in 3.75% (n=9) (2d) respectively.

Conclusion: Dengue fever presents with a variety of manifestations. Imaging techniques, especially ultrasound, can be employed to promptly identify the characteristics and complications of dengue fever in emergency situations, even when serological tests are unavailable or delayed.