Abstract
Background: Hydatidosis is a major health problem is many countries. It is a parasitic disease that can affect adults as well as children. Hydatid cyst often involves the lungs in children. Given the anatomical and physiological differences between children and adults, generalization from adult studies is inappropriate. Methods: To determine particularities of lung echinococcosis in children, we conducted a retrospective study of all cases treated for hydatid cyst of the lung at our department. Results: One hundred fifteen children (average age, 7 years 6 months; range, 3–15 years) were managed for pulmonary hydatid cyst, which corresponds to 66% of all hydatid localizations. Male predominance was noted (sex ratio=1.94). Cough (60.9%) and chest pain (59.1%) were the most common clinical features. Fever and fatigue were noted in 57 (49.5%) and 34 (29.5%) cases, respectively. Giant cysts were seen in 11 patients (10%). The cysts were mostlydiagnosed when they are intact (68.7%). Mixed hepatic and pulmonary cysts were noted in 27 cases (4.25%). Conservative muscle-sparing surgery was performed in all cases. Complications were noted in 20% of the cases. Conclusion: As hydatidosis has a different pattern in children, optimal management requires a better knowledge of its particularities in this age group.
Highlights
Hydatid disease is known as echinococcosis or hydatidosis, and the causative microorganism is usually a tapeworm parasite called Echinococcus granulosus (1)
We aimed to review the particularities of the clinical presentations, diagnosis, surgical treatment, and postoperative outcomes of pulmonary hydatid cysts in children
One hundred fifteen children were managed for pulmonary hydatid cyst, which corresponds to 66% of all hydatid localizations
Summary
Hydatid disease is known as echinococcosis or hydatidosis, and the causative microorganism is usually a tapeworm parasite called Echinococcus granulosus (1). This zoonosis is endemic to many sheep- and cattlerearing regions of the world, in the Mediterranean countries, including Tunisia, where it continues to represent a major health problem (2). The lung is the most common site of localization of the larval form, which is the cyst (4). Methods: To determine particularities of lung echinococcosis in children, we conducted a retrospective study of all cases treated for hydatid cyst of the lung at our department. Mixed hepatic and pulmonary cysts were noted in 27 cases (4.25%). Conclusion: As hydatidosis has a different pattern in children, optimal management requires a better knowledge of its particularities in this age group
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