title: [Echinococcosis in children--a case contribution].
abstract: Hydatid disease, or echinococcosis, is the most dangerous type of parasitosis in man in Europe. Two types are of clinical importance, namely, alveolar hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and cystic hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Cystic hydatid disease is characterised by an expansive growth via the formation of single or multiple cysts expanding in such a manner that they cause symptoms of space-occupying lesions, whereas the cysts of Echinococcus multilocularis undergo endogenous budding forming aggregates of innumerable small cysts honeycombing and even infiltrating the affected organ like a malignant tumour unlimited by the natural boundaries of the organ. Usually it takes about 10-15 years before the disease becomes manifest after the infection, because it is only then that compression of the surrounding organ tissue gives rise to symptoms. Hence, echinococcus disease is rare in children. The article reports on 7 children treated for Echinococcus granulosus. Complete exstirpation of the hydatid tissue is the treatment of choice. This is mostly achieved because of the benign nature of the growth. Chemotherapy remains an exception to the rule.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004446:Echinococcus / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
vernacular_title: Die Echinokokkose im Kindesalter--Ein kasuistischer Beitrag.