title: Treatment of hydatid liver disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Echinococcal disease is still a serious problem in certain parts of the world. The liver is the organ affected most frequently. Over recent decades, various reports have been published comparing standard surgical and more conservative modalities for the treatment of the disease. Proper selection among the strategies reported so far could be the most appropriate part of successful patient management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A thorough review of the most recent reports on the treatment of liver Echinococcus infection, including percutaneous drainage, medical management, and laparoscopic, endoscopic and open surgical approaches has been conducted, focusing on patient outcomes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The standard surgical approach, namely partial capsectomy, drainage, and epiploplasty, remains the most frequent operative method. Previous problems such as disease recurrence and a residual cavity seem to be managed optimally with more radical operations such as total pericystectomy. Laparoscopic and endoscopic approaches (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and sphincterotomy) appear to have a crucial role, especially when the location of the cyst or the patient's status does not permit more radical approaches. Percutaneous computed tomography- or ultrasound-guided drainage appears to be of great value in certain cases. Chemotherapeutic agents remain useful as an adjuvant treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appropriate patient selection and proper use of the various available treatments are of great importance. A tailor-made approach should be employed for each patient. The surgeon's experience constitutes a principal criterion. To achieve the best possible results, an interdisciplinary approach should be used in the majority of patients.
authors.affiliation: Second Department of Surgery, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Athens, Greece. diovoros@med.uoa.gr
authors.forename: Dionysios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Voros
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Katsarelias
authors.forename: Giorgos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Polymeneas
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polydorou
authors.forename: Leda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pistiolis
authors.forename: Angelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalovidouris
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gouliamos
mesh_terms: D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics