Liver hydatid disease: long-term results of percutaneous treatment.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts.


METHODS
Thirty-one patients (19 female patients and 12 male patients; age range, 8-78 years; mean age, 41 years) with 57 liver hydatid cysts underwent percutaneous treatment. The cysts were treated with hypertonic saline (15% NaCl) and/or absolute alcohol. Sonographic and/or fluoroscopic guidance was used.


RESULTS
Repeated sonography revealed a gradual decrease in cyst size. Volume reduction was 18%-99% (mean, 83%). With the disappearance of the fluid component, pseudotumor appearance occurred. In all treated cases, the cyst wall became irregular and thicker during follow-up. No mortality occurred. No abdominal dissemination was encountered during follow-up. Major complications were infection of the cavity, hypersensitivity reaction, and development of biliary fistula. One cyst recurred 11 months after primary drainage.


CONCLUSIONS
Long-term results indicate that percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts is an effective and safe method in selected cases.
Akhan
O
O
Department of Radiology, Hacettepe University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Ozmen
M N
MN
Dinçer
A
A
Sayek
I
I
Göçmen
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011677:Punctures; D012008:Recurrence; D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional
D012462:Saline Solution, Hypertonic; D000431:Ethanol