title: Classification of hydatid liver cysts.
abstract: A number of investigations advocate various classification systems for liver hydatid cysts. However, none permits predicting the treatment outcome or making clinical decisions regarding medical treatment; open surgery; punction, aspiration, injection, reaspiration (PAIR); or laparoscopy. An international hydatid disease registry employing an uniform nomenclature and consistent reporting methods would allow more rational comparison of different management strategies. TN(R)C (topography, nature, recurrent, complication) classification is a comprehensive system based on four criteria: location (T), natural history (N), recurrence (R) and complications (C) of the cyst. This pictorial review illustrates the classification and puts accent of its clinical usefulness. The TN(R)C classification provides a standardized description formula of every liver hydatid cyst, permitting multiple comparisons and analyses.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Military Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria. kirien@abv.bg
authors.forename: Kirien T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Kjossev
authors.forename: Julian E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Losanoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003657:Decision Making; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000145:classification* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans