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Hydatid Disease

 Hydatid Disease



Overview

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by a tapeworm’s eggs. Tapeworms usually live in hosts such as sheep and dogs. But humans can get the disease if they accidentally eat or drink anything infected with the parasite. Hydatid disease is rare in North America.

Hydatid disease, also called cystic echinococcosis or hydatidosis, causes cysts (liquid-filled growths) to develop in your liver or other organs. Hydatid cysts can lead to serious health complications if they aren’t treated.

Symptoms

Hydatid disease may not cause any symptoms for many years. But as hydatid cysts grow in your liver, lungs or other organs they may cause:

Bloody stools.

Coughing.

Discomfort in your abdomen or chest.

Hives or skin rash.

Jaundice (yellow skin).

Lump or mass in your midsection.

Nausea and vomiting.

Shortness of breath.

Unexplained weight loss.

Complications

The cysts can grow large enough to prevent affected organs from working properly. The cysts can also rupture, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Signs of a ruptured hydatid cyst may include:

Anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction).

Severe abdominal pain.

Sudden death.

Diagnosis

Imaging exams and blood tests are the most common ways to diagnose hydatid disease. Blood tests can show elevated levels of antibodies to the echinococcal infection. Imaging exams show the size, shape and location of the cysts.

Your healthcare provider will use an X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound to examine the cysts. Hydatid cysts have a few characteristics that make them appear differently than simple liver cysts in imaging scans, including:

Collapsed cyst inside the cyst wall.

Multilayered cyst wall.

Thick or calcified cyst wall

Treatment

Treatment for hydatid disease depends on the size and location of the cysts. The most common treatments include:

Medication: Small, superficial cysts in one location may respond to antiparasitic drugs called benzimidazoles. Benzimidazoles destroy parasites and shrink cysts. Your healthcare provider may combine medication with aspiration or surgery.

PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration): The PAIR technique uses a needle or catheter to drain the cyst. A parasite-fighting chemical is injected into the cyst before it’s drained again. Your healthcare provider repeats the process until the cyst is completely emptied.

Surgery: Large, deep cysts may need to be removed with surgery. Surgical cyst removal involves removing part or all of the cyst or part of your liver. Surgery risks spilling parasites into your abdominal cavity, so only an experienced healthcare provider should perform the procedure.

Type of Doctor Department : A urologist , A radiologist , An anesthesiologist

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