Hepatic parasitic diseases − state of the art: Imaging study

Parasites are an important cause of human diseases. With the increase in global population migration, the decline of population immunity, and changes in living habits, parasitic diseases have been increasing year by year. Because the liver has a unique blood supply system and a biliary system that communicates with the intestinal tract, it is relatively more vulnerable to a variety of parasitic infections. Imaging examinations play an important role in the early detection, characterization, evaluation, and treatment of hepatic parasitic diseases. Various imaging methods can not only detect hepatic parasitic diseases accurately but also evaluate liver injury, liver fibrosis, abnormal blood perfusion, metabolic changes, and malignant tumors caused by parasitic infection. Familiarity with the imaging features of hepatic parasitic diseases is helpful for the early diagnosis and treatment. This article reviews the progress in imaging research on common hepatic parasitic diseases.