title: [Multiple extrapulmonary thoracic hydatidosis].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extrapulmonary intrathoracic hydatid cysts are unusual but they may be multiple, particularly during a secondary dissemination. With the aim to clarify the origins of this dissemination, we report our experience in the treatment of multiple thoracic extrapulmonary hydatidosis (MTEH).
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 1995 and December 2004, 41 patients were operated on for MTEH in our department. Chest roentgenogram and computed tomography were the main means of diagnosis. The treatment consisted of total surgical removal of the intact cysts. The approach was a postero-lateral thoracotomy (right in 29 cases, left in 8 cases, bilateral in 3 cases) and a median sternotomy in one case. All patients received complementary medical treatment with Albendazol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The MTEH was secondary to haematogenous dissemination in 6 patients (15%), to a hydatid cyst of the lung in 7 patients (17%) and to a hydatid cyst of the liver in 28 patients (68%). 75% of these patients had had a previous surgical intervention for hepatic cyst and 88% of them had diaphragm involvement. There were no deaths among our patients but the recurrence rate was 12%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Secondary intrathoracic extrapulmonary hydatidosis is generally seen among patients operated on for hydatid cyst of the liver. Necessary precautions must be taken at the time of surgery to avoid any intrathoracic dissemination.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie thoracique, CHU Ibn Sina, Rabat, Maroc. bouchikh_mohammed@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bouchikh
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ouadnouni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Smahi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Msougar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lakranbi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Achir
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caidi
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harrak
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: El Aziz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benosman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D055815:Young Adult