Treatment of hepatic hydatid cyst in children

Abstract

Objective To review our experiences of treating children with hepatic hydatid cysts (echinoceosis). Methods The data of 16 patients with hepatic hydatid cysts treated in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 1997 to 2007 were reviewed and analyzed. The data collected in-cluded epidemic history, clinical manifestations, type and site of cysts, imaging examination and labora-tory results,and therapeutic procedures employed. Results There were 11 boys and 5 girls, The age ranged from 1 to 18 years (mean=13.1 years). Fifteen cases (93.7%) had a history of contact with dogs or sheep. The manifestations of hydatid cysts included abdominal pain (62.5%) and abdominal mass (31.3%). Ten cysts were located in the right lobe of liver (62.5%),4 in the left lobe of liver (25%) ,and 2 in both lobes of liver (12.5%). Single hepatic cysts were found in 13 out of 16 patients (81%) and multiple hepatic cysts were seen in 3 patients (19%). Thirteen patients were diagnosed preoperatively by uhrasonography, CT and laboratory examination (> 81%). All patients underwent surgery and received oral albendazol. There was no recurrence. Conclusions Surgery and albendazole medication are still the main treatment of hydatid cysts. Key words: Echinoccosis, Hepatic; Hydatid cyst