Complications of Hydatid Cyst of Liver and its Management: A Review

Abstract

Hydatid disease of the liver is still endemic in certain parts of the world. The diagnosis of non-complicated hydatid cyst of the liver depends on clinical suspicion. The modern treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver varies from surgical intervention to percutaneous drainage or medical therapy. Surgery is still the treatment of choice and can be performed by the conventional or laparoscopic approach. However, hydatid cysts may present with complications such as cysts ruptured into the biliary tract (12%), cysts rupture involving the lung or pleural space (2.2%), cysts ruptured into the peritoneum (1.6%), and cysts ruptured into the digestive tract (0.2%). Acute cholangitis is the most common syndrome, as a result of the presence of the ruptured hydatid cystic contents into the biliary tract. Hence, this review article will focus on the complications of hydatid cyst of liver and its management approach.