Cystic Echinococcosis in the Liver: Nomenclature and Surgical Procedures

Abstract

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by larval form of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. The adult tapeworm inhabit the small intestine of some carnivores (called definitive or final hosts), and the larval phase, or “metacestode” develops in the herbivores (intermediate hosts). The presentation form of the larval phase is the development of cysts, called hydatid cysts. Although all of us know the vital cycle of the parasite and the different aspects of the disease, the designations around the parasite, its evolution and some therapeutic procedures is not uniform. In fact we frequently see the use of inappropriate terms, based on incorrect concepts.