CT scans or MRI s. Both types of tests create detailed images of the internal structures, which can help your doctor detect worms that are blocking ducts in the liver or pancreas.
X-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan, Computerized Axial Tomography scan (CAT)These tests are used to look for some parasitic diseases that may cause lesions in the organs.
Treatment for Tapeworms
For serious cases, your doctor may use imaging tests such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to check for tapeworm lesions or secondary swelling outside of the digestive tract.
Fecal testing (examination of your stool) can identify both helminths and protozoa. Stool samples must be collected before you take any anti-diarrhea drugs or antibiotics, or before x-rays with barium are taken. Several stool samples may be needed to find the parasite.
CT. The worms can usually be visualized within the bowel lumen at CT with soft-tissue windowing.
Helminths can be recognized in ultrasound images by their morphology, size, and location. In some cases, the parasites are not directly seen by ultrasound, but the lesions caused by them can be easily visualized. Ultrasound imaging is taking on an increasingly important role in veterinary parasitology.
The diagnosis of intestinal parasites typically relies on the microscopic detection of egg, larval, trophozoite, cyst, and/or oocyst life stages in human feces samples [17;18].
Blood tests such as an eosinophil level -- a type of blood cell that is increased in many parasitic diseases -- can be helpful, and occasionally stool tests are of benefit. A few people need skin scrapings or even biopsy of skin lesions that can be evaluated by a laboratory to determine whether a parasite is present.
Unexplained digestive problems, itchiness, anemia, muscular and joint pain, and inability to feel satisfied after even a hearty meal are some of the commonly experienced signs you may have a parasite.
Why? Most people do not know they are infected or at risk, or don't have access to appropriate care. And often, health care providers are unfamiliar with these parasitic infections, and may not diagnose or treat them appropriately.
Additionally, some intestinal parasites are large enough to be seen with the naked eye and may appear as white thread-like creatures in stools. While some parasites don't cause noticeable symptoms, some grow, reproduce or invade healthy functioning systems, making their hosts sick, resulting in parasitic infection.
Often, multiple samples are collected and tested. These should be collected at different times on different days because parasites are shed periodically and may not be in your stool at all times.
First, the clean-out process for the colonoscopy is very thorough (if you've had one you know what I mean) and it wipes out any obvious parasites. Even more important, is the fact that parasites actually live INSIDE the colonic wall which will not be seen with the camera.
Etiological examination is the most reliable way for a definitive diagnose of parasitic infection or disease.
Parasites usually enter the body through the mouth or skin. Doctors diagnose the infection by taking samples of blood, stool, urine, sputum, or other infected tissue and examining or sending them to a laboratory for analysis.
Giardia is arguably the most common parasite infection of humans worldwide, and the second most common in the United States after pin-worm.
Parasitic infections can cause a whole host of problems including chronic fatigue, digestive issues, and mineral depletion. It's important for everyone to know the risk factors, warning signs, and treatments in the event of a parasitic infection.
Occasionally, colonoscopy can reveal unexpected findings, including the presence of parasite infections, even if patients are asymptomatic.
Imaging Findings
Occasionally, US can demonstrate mobile fluke in the dilated bile ducts and gallbladder [3–5]. CT findings of hepatic fascioliasis include multiple small, round or oval clustered hypodense lesions with peripheral contrast enhancement, as in our case.
Your health care provider may order tests if you or your child has symptoms of an intestinal parasite. These include: Diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days. Abdominal pain.