Abdominal Ultrasound Findings in HIV Patients: A Pictorial Review

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant health problem in many developing countries with seroprevalences in the range 5–25%. Ultrasound is the most widely available and affordable method of assessing HIV-related abdominal morbidity. Before antiretroviral therapy is administered, it is imperative that any comorbidity is diagnosed and treated. Awareness of the range of sonographic appearances of abdominal pathology in HIV is important so that a prompt and accurate evaluation can be made. Although ultrasound appearances in HIV vary between different populations and with different grades of immunosuppression, some disease conditions manifest with a characteristic, although not pathognomonic, picture. This aim of this review is to describe the spectrum of ultrasound appearances of the abdominal organs in HIV patients and explain their aetiology.