Diagnosis and percutaneous treatment of soft-tissue hydatid cysts

Primary Hydatid Cysts in the Extremities: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Primary hydatid cysts (PHCs) in the extremities are uncommon, presenting in the majority of cases with atypical clinical features. Radical surgical excision remains the mainstay of treatment. The aim of our study was to accumulate the already published data on PHCs in the extremities in terms of demographic, diagnostic, and therapeutic aspects. Three electronic databases were meticulously searched for articles published until 2024. A total of 85 studies comprising 118 patients were finally included in our review. Sixteen patients (13.5%) were diagnosed with a hydatid cyst in their upper extremity, 94 (79.7%) with a PHC in the lower extremity, and eight (6.8%) with an echinococcal cyst in the axilla. Pain and swelling were the most frequent symptoms, whereas only two patients were completely asymptomatic. The mean lesion size was 11.6 ± 7.1 cm. Preoperative serology investigation was reported in 82 out of 118 (69.5%) patients; among them, 33 (44.6%) cases had a positive preoperative serology test. The vast majority of patients (96.6%) were treated with an interventional procedure either surgical or radiological, and only seven experienced postoperative complications. No anaphylactic reaction was described perioperatively. Although preoperative diagnosis of PHCs is challenging, they should be considered in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue lesions. Treatment strategies should be individualized on a patient basis, while radical surgical excision remains the gold standard treatment.

Hydatid Cyst of the Inguinal Region: An Exceptional Localization

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), stemming from the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus, stands as a widespread parasitic zoonosis primarily afflicting the liver and lungs. However, instances in the inguinal region are exceptionally infrequent. We present a distinctive case involving a 49-year-old female with a progressively enlarging inguinal mass over a five-year period, characterized by the absence of hepatic or pulmonary involvement. This case underscores the unique clinical presentation and diagnostic intricacies associated with extrahepatic and extrapulmonary expressions of CE. The presented case contributes to advancing our comprehension of unconventional hydatid disease presentations, highlighting the imperative for a multidisciplinary approach in both diagnosis and treatment. Ongoing research endeavors and collaborative efforts are pivotal for refining strategies and enhancing outcomes in patients with rare manifestations such as inguinal hydatid cysts.

Cystic Echinococcosis in the Early 2020s: A Review

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by metacestodes, the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined CE as a neglected disease, it is the second most important foodborne parasitic disease, and it remains an important public health issue, considering its zonal endemicity and potential morbidity. The control and prevention of CE is a relevant WHO target, especially from a One Health perspective, as the disease affects not only animals and humans but also the food chain. Since not all countries have a CE surveillance strategy or reporting system and specific management guidelines, recent epidemiological data are relatively scarce, and research concerning the specific geographical distribution of the disease is ongoing. To add new information to the subject, we have analyzed and collected data from national guidelines and several medical databases. Out of the 751 research articles that were originally identified, only 52 were included in the investigation after applying specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Notable international projects that have provided significant contributions and had a positive impact are presented. The available data were correlated with WHO recommendations on the subject, thus showcasing the measures taken and those that are still needed to properly control the disease's spread.

Percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: to PAIR or not to PAIR

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim is to review recent literature for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts (cystic echinococcosis: CE) via different techniques such as PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration), standard catheterization, and modified catheterization technique (MoCaT).

RECENT FINDINGS

PAIR is an established technique and considered to be safe and effective for CE1 and CE3a as it is associated with lower morbidity, mortality, recurrence, and shorter hospital stay as compared with surgery. Standard catheterization is also dedicated for the treatment of CE1 and CE3a. PAIR should be preferred for treatment of liver CE1 and CE3a cysts, since PAIR is associated with lower major complication rates and shorter hospital stay. However, standard catheterization technique is indicated when cysto-biliary fistula develops or any technical difficulty arises during the PAIR. In these cases it is needed to switch PAIR to standard catheterization to complete the procedure.

SUMMARY

For CE1 and CE3a cysts, PAIR and standard catheterization are the choice for percutaneous treatments, while MoCaT is a treatment option for CE2 and CE3b cysts.

Percutaneous Treatment of Giant Hydatid Cysts and Cystobiliary Fistula Management

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous treatment in cystic echinococcosis (CE) type 1 and 3a giant cysts (with at least one diameter>10 cm) according to the World Health Organization classification and to evaluate the management of complications, especially cystobiliary fistulas (CBFs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This retrospective study included 66 patients with 68 CE1 and CE3a giant cysts treated with percutaneous catheterization between January 2016 and December 2021. The characteristics of the cysts, major and minor complications, time to catheter removal, and length of hospital stay were recorded.

RESULTS

Among the 68 cysts, CBFs occurred in 35 (51.5%), cavity infections in 11 (16.1%), recollection in five (7.4%), and anaphylaxis in three (4.5%). There was no mortality. Biliary drainage was observed intraoperatively in 20 (29.4%) and only postoperatively in 15 (22.1%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. A plastic biliary stent was placed in 18 (51.5%) of the 35 cysts with CBFs. The patients with CBFs had a longer hospital stay and time to catheter removal than those without fistulas (15.3 ± 10.9 vs. 6.1 ± 2.6 days and 32.7 ± 51.8 vs. 6.2 ± 3.1 days, respectively; P < 0.001). Of the patients who developed recollection, three were treated with secondary catheterization, and two underwent surgery. In total, three patients underwent surgery. The rate of clinical success was 95.4%. All cysts were followed up for an average of 19.1 (range, 12-60) months, and there was an average 88.8% reduction in cyst volume compared to the initial evaluation.

CONCLUSION

CE1 and CE3a giant cysts can be treated effectively and safely with high clinical success using the catheterization technique. Contrary to what has previously been reported for these patients, the rate of CBFs is high, but these patients can successfully be treated with percutaneous drainage and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography without the requirement of surgery.

Percutaneous treatment of giant hydatid cysts: a single-center experience of 58 cysts

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous treatment in hydatid cysts (HCs) with at least one diameter larger than 10 cm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

58 CE1 or CE3a HCs with at least one diameter larger than 10 cm which were treated with catheterization between September 2016 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

Mean age was 40 ± 17.7 (18-80). Majority of HCs were in the liver (89.6%). Median follow-up was 28 months. Technical success rate was 100%; however, a second procedure was needed in 13 cysts due to recollection (n = 4), infection (n = 6), and recurrence (n = 3).

CONCLUSIONS

Giant HCs can be effectively treated with catheterization with low complication rates.

Liver cystic echinococcosis: a parasitic review

Liver cystic echinococcosis (CE), known as hydatid disease, is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. Humans are accidental hosts in this zoonotic disease process, and hepatic infection accounts for over two-thirds of all cases. Since signs and symptoms are mainly non-specific, especially in early disease, clinicians should have a low threshold to include CE as a differential diagnosis in patients with positive serology and suggestive radiological findings, especially in endemic regions. The standard management for liver CE depends on the patient's symptoms, the radiological stage, the size and location of the cyst, the presence of complications and the treating clinicians' expertise. In this review, we discuss the lifecycle of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato and its epidemiology and then focus on discussing the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment options of CE of the liver.

Pelvic retroperitoneal echinococcal cyst. A case report

Introduction: Echinococcosis or hydatidosis is a parasitic zoonosis endemic in Chile that poses an important public health concern. It mainly affects the liver and lungs; however, it may involve diverse areas, with the isolated pelvic location being exceptional and difficult to manage. Case presentation. A 41-year-old female consulted the emergency department of a hospital in Chile due to lumbosacral pain and was diagnosed with hydatidosis. The patient received surgical treatment and medication, but the disease recurred twice: the first time, a year after the first intervention, and the second time, two months after the second.  Therefore, she required a multidisciplinary approach that included long-term antibiotic therapy and a radical approach to the lesion, achieving an adequate control of the disease. Conclusion: Pelvic echinococcosis is difficult to diagnose due to its low frequency. This disease should be considered in the event of any cystic lesion in endemic areas. A multidisciplinary management reduces possible complications and recurrence.

Benign liver lesions 2022: Guideline for clinical practice of Associazione Italiana Studio del Fegato (AISF), Società Italiana di Radiologia Medica e Interventistica (SIRM), Società Italiana di Chirurgia (SIC), Società Italiana di Ultrasonologia in Medicina e Biologia (SIUMB), Associazione Italiana di Chirurgia Epatobilio-Pancreatica (AICEP), Società Italiana Trapianti d'Organo (SITO), Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citologia Diagnostica (SIAPEC-IAP) - Part I - Cystic lesions

Benign liver lesions are increasingly diagnosed in daily clinical practice due to the growing use of imaging techniques for the study of the abdomen in patients who have non-specific symptoms and do not have an increased risk of hepatic malignancy. They include simple or parasitic cysts and solid benign tumors which differ widely in terms of prevalence, clinical relevance, symptoms and natural history and often lead to significant clinical problems relating to diagnosis and clinical management. Following the need to have updated guidelines on the management of benign focal liver lesions, the Scientific Societies mainly involved in their management have promoted the drafting of a new dedicated document. This document was drawn up according to the present Italian rules and methodologies necessary to produce clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic guidelines based on evidence. Here we present the first part of the guideline, concerning the characterization of focal hepatic lesions detected by ultrasound, and the diagnosis and clinical management of simple and parasitic hepatic cysts, and of polycystic liver disease.

Case Report: Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Catheterization and Microwave Ablation of a Bone Hydatid Cyst with Soft-Tissue Component

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) of the bone is a rare disease compared with CE of the viscera, and the most involved bony structures are the spine and the pelvis. Both the diagnosis and the treatment of bone CE are challenging for several reasons. The combination of surgery and antimicrobial therapy is the most common approach, the results are far from adequate. Luckily, percutaneous treatment has appeared on the horizon for bone lesions as a more practical option with fewer drawbacks in light of current reports. This article deals with the successful result of ablation-assisted percutaneous treatment of a bone CE lesion and a soft tissue CE lesion treated by modified catheterization technique in a male patient with left hip pain that was unresponsive to previous surgery for CE.

Turkish HPB Surgery Association consensus report on hepatic cystic Echinococcosis (HCE)

OBJECTIVES

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is one of the important problems of the Eurasian region. We aimed to prepare a consensus report in order to update the treatment approaches of this disease. This study was conducted by Turkish HPB Surgery Association.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This study was conducted with the modified Delphi model. For this purpose, we conducted a three-stage consensus-building approach.

RESULTS

Six topics, including diagnosis, medical treatment, percutaneous treatment, surgical treatment, management of complications and posttreatment follow-up and recurrences in HCE were discussed.

CONCLUSION

The expert panel made recommendations for every topic.

Role of the radiologist in the diagnosis and management of the two forms of hepatic echinococcosis

Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by two zoonotic tapeworms (cestodes) of the Echinocococcus genus. It can be classified as either alveolar or cystic echinococcosis. Although the two forms differ significantly in terms of imaging findings, they share similarities in terms of management and treatment. In parallel to medical treatment with albendazole (ABZ), and surgery, historically used in these diseases, various imaging-guided interventional procedures have recently emerged (drainage, stenting, or Puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR)). These options open up a new range of therapeutic options. As in oncology, multidisciplinary consultation meetings now play a major role in adapted management and patient care in hepatic echinococcosis. Consequently, diagnostic imaging and interventional expertise have brought radiologists to the fore as important members of these multidisciplinary team. The radiologist will need to evaluate parasite activity in both forms of the disease, to guide the choice of the appropriate therapy from among medical treatment, interventional radiology procedures and/or surgical treatment. Knowledge of the specific complications of the two forms of echinococcosis will also help radiologists to discuss the appropriate treatment and management. The aim of this review is to describe the core knowledge that what a radiologist should possess to actively participate in multidisciplinary meetings about hepatic echinococcosis. We discuss the role of imaging, from diagnosis to treatment, in alveolar (AE) and cystic echinococcosis (CE), respectively.

Percutaneous Treatment of Bone Hydatid Cyst

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) may be encountered in almost every site of the body, but bone involvement is relatively rare. The vertebral column and pelvis are the most affected areas. The combined medical and surgical approach is the main treatment option in current literature. Although percutaneous treatment of CE cysts located in the liver, spleen, kidney, and soft tissues has become a serious alternative to surgery, there is no bone CE cyst treated percutaneously in the literature. This case report aims to point out that percutaneous treatment can be an effective treatment choice and alternative to surgery.

Treatment of Gharbi Type III Hepatic Hydatid Cysts: A Clinical Dilemma

This article aims to compare available treatment options for type III liver hydatid cysts, including surgery and percutaneous techniques. Hydatid disease is a helminthic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is a serious public health problem in endemic regions of the world. Hydatid cyst of the liver is the most common clinical presentation of Echinococcus granulosus. According to Gharbi classification, hydatid cysts of the liver are classified into 5 types. Type III hydatid cysts are those with fluid collection and septa. Treatment of Gharbi type III hydatid cysts is still controversial. Some researchers think that Gharbi type III hydatid cysts are not suitable for percutaneous drainage, and surgery is the suitable treatment option. There are not enough prospective studies comparing percutaneous and surgical techniques for the treatment of type III hydatid disease of the liver. A proper meta-analysis does not seem to be possible with the available studies in current medical literature.

Echinococcosis: Advances in the 21st Century

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by cestodes of the genus Echinococcus (family Taeniidae). This serious and near-cosmopolitan disease continues to be a significant public health issue, with western China being the area of highest endemicity for both the cystic (CE) and alveolar (AE) forms of echinococcosis. Considerable advances have been made in the 21st century on the genetics, genomics, and molecular epidemiology of the causative parasites, on diagnostic tools, and on treatment techniques and control strategies, including the development and deployment of vaccines. In terms of surgery, new procedures have superseded traditional techniques, and total cystectomy in CE, ex vivo resection with autotransplantation in AE, and percutaneous and perendoscopic procedures in both diseases have improved treatment efficacy and the quality of life of patients. In this review, we summarize recent progress on the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis, management, control, and prevention of CE and AE. Currently there is no alternative drug to albendazole to treat echinococcosis, and new compounds are required urgently. Recently acquired genomic and proteomic information can provide a platform for improving diagnosis and for finding new drug and vaccine targets, with direct impact in the future on the control of echinococcosis, which continues to be a global challenge.

Primary hydatid cyst in the posterior thigh, and its percutaneous treatment

Hydatid cyst (echinococcosis) is an endemic parasitic disease, usually encountered in those dealing with agriculture and livestock. The most frequently affected organs are the liver and the lungs. The disease is very rarely encountered in soft tissues. Diagnosing a soft-tissue hydatid cyst may be challenging unless the mass possesses the characteristic features of a hydatid cyst. Soft-tissue hydatid cysts may be treated percutaneously, just like those encountered in the liver. In this case report, we present the radiological findings and modified percutaneous aspiration-injection-reaspiration (PAIR) treatment of a hydatid cyst located in the posterior aspect of the thigh.

Successful percutaneous treatment of extrahepatic cystic echinococcosis through PAIR and single puncture catheter techniques

PURPOSE

To demonstrate the successful percutaneous treatment of extrahepatic cystic echinococcosis as an alternative to surgical procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 27 extrahepatic hydatid cysts in 12 patients, the spleen in 8 patients, muscles and soft tissues in 3 patients each and right adrenal gland in 1 patient were treated with PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, respiration) or single puncture catheterization methods. As a scolicidal and sclerosing agent, alcohol was used in all patients.

RESULTS

Of 27 extrahepatic lesions of hydatid cysts, 24 (88.9%) were Gharbi type 1 (WHO CE 1), and 3 (11.1%) were Gharbi type 2 (WHO CE 3A). Of hydatid cystic lesions, 20 with PAIR and 7 with single puncture catheterization methods were treated. No major complications developed in any patients. Abscesses were detected in two patients (16.6%). Mean total hospital stay was calculated between 1 and 14 days (mean 2.3 days). Follow-up periods ranged between 10 and 62 months (mean 22.3 months).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous treatment for extrahepatic hydatid cystic lesions is an important alternative to surgical procedures because of the high therapeutic success rate, lower rate of complications and shorter hospital stays.

A novel modified PAIR technique using a trocar catheter for percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts: a six-year experience

PURPOSE

We aimed to demonstrate the success and reliability of a novel puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR) technique in liver hydatid cysts.

METHODS

Percutaneous treatment with ultrasonographic guidance was performed in 493 hepatic hydatid cysts in 374 patients. Patients were treated with a new PAIR technique by single puncture method using a 6F trocar catheter. The results of this novel technique were evaluated with regards to efficacy and safety of the procedure and complication rates.

RESULTS

Out of 493 cysts, 317 were Gharbi type I (WHO CE 1) and 176 were Gharbi type II (WHO CE 3A). Of all cysts, 13 were referred to surgery because of cystobiliary fistulization. Recurrence was observed in 11 cysts one month later. Therefore, the success rate of the PAIR technique was 97.7% (469/480). Minor complications (fever, urticaria-like reactions, biliary fistula) were seen in 44 treated patients (12%, 44/374); the only major complication was reversible anaphylactic shock which was observed in two patients (0.5%, 2/374).

CONCLUSION

This novel modified PAIR technique may be superior to catheterization by Seldinger technique due to its efficiency, easier application, lower severe complication rate, and lower cost. Further comparative studies are required to confirm our observations.

Comparison of Long-Term Results of Percutaneous Treatment Techniques for Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis Types 2 and 3b

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term results of a modified catheterization technique for percutaneous treatment of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (CE) types 2 and 3b and to retrospectively compare the results of puncture, aspiration, injection, and reaspiration (PAIR); standard catheterization; and the modified catheterization technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-three patients (37 male, 36 female; 75 cysts) with CE types 2 and 3b who underwent percutaneous treatment from March 1991 to August 2008 were included. Informed consent from all patients and approval of the ethics board were obtained. Patients were 6-79 years old. Twenty-three cysts (30.6%) were treated with PAIR, 26 (34.7%) with standard catheterization, and 26 (34.7%) with the modified catheterization technique. The results of the three techniques were statistically compared.

RESULTS

Among all patients, the cysts decreased in volume by 61.1% (range, 5-100%). Cysts recurred in 11 (47.8%) patients treated with PAIR, three (11.5%) treated with standard catheterization, and one (3.8%) treated with the modified catheterization technique. The recurrence rate was not significantly different between standard catheterization and the modified catheterization technique (p > 0.05), whereas significantly more recurrences developed after PAIR than with the other two techniques (p < 0.05). Twelve (16.4%) major and 16 (21.9%) minor complications developed. Significantly fewer major complications occurred with PAIR than with the modified catheterization technique, but the difference between standard catheterization and the other two techniques was not significant.

CONCLUSION

Treatment of CE types 2 and 3b with the modified catheterization technique was associated with a recurrence rate lower than what is seen with other techniques, and therefore it appears to be a safe, reliable, and efficient alternative.

The Echinococcoses: Diagnosis, Clinical Management and Burden of Disease

The echinococcoses are chronic, parasitic diseases that are acquired after ingestion of infective taeniid tapeworm eggs from certain species of the genus Echinococcus. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) occurs worldwide, whereas, alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is restricted to the northern hemisphere, and neotropical echinococcosis (NE) has only been identified in Central and South America. Clinical manifestations and disease courses vary profoundly for the different species of Echinococcus. CE presents as small to large cysts, and has commonly been referred to as 'hydatid disease', or 'hydatidosis'. A structured stage-specific approach to CE management, based on the World Health Organization (WHO) ultrasound classification of liver cysts, is now recommended. Management options include percutaneous sterilization techniques, surgery, drug treatment, a 'watch-and-wait' approach or combinations thereof. In contrast, clinical manifestations associated with AE resemble those of a 'malignant', silently-progressing liver disease, with local tissue infiltration and metastases. Structured care is important for AE management and includes WHO staging, drug therapy and long-term follow-up for at least a decade. NE presents as polycystic or unicystic disease. Clinical characteristics resemble those of AE, and management needs to be structured accordingly. However, to date, only a few hundreds of cases have been reported in the literature. The echinococcoses are often expensive and complicated to treat, and prospective clinical studies are needed to better inform case management decisions.

Current status of diagnosis and treatment of hepatic echinococcosis

Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus) and Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) infections are the most common parasitic diseases that affect the liver. The disease course is typically slow and the patients tend to remain asymptomatic for many years. Often the diagnosis is incidental. Right upper quadrant abdominal pain, hepatitis, cholangitis, and anaphylaxis due to dissemination of the cyst are the main presenting symptoms. Ultrasonography is important in diagnosis. The World Health Organization classification, based on ultrasonographic findings, is used for staging of the disease and treatment selection. In addition to the imaging methods, immunological investigations are used to support the diagnosis. The available treatment options for E. granulosus infection include open surgery, percutaneous interventions, and pharmacotherapy. Aggressive surgery is the first-choice treatment for E. multilocularis infection, while pharmacotherapy is used as an adjunct to surgery. Due to a paucity of clinical studies, empirical evidence on the treatment of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infections is largely lacking; there are no prominent and widely accepted clinical algorithms yet. In this article, we review the diagnosis and treatment of E. granulosus and E. multilocularis infections in the light of recent evidence.

Treatment of Hepatic Cystic Echinococcosis in Patients from the Southeastern Rhodope Region of Bulgaria in 2004-2013: Comparison of Current Practices with Expert Recommendations

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a clinically complex chronic parasitic disease, management options for which include surgery, percutaneous treatments, and treatment with albendazole (ABZ) for active cysts, and the "Watch-and-Wait" approach for uncomplicated, inactive cysts. We examined, retrospectively, the clinical management of 334 patients with hepatic CE from the southeastern Rhodope region of Bulgaria between 2004 and 2013. Cysts were reclassified according to the World Health Organization Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (WHO-IWGE) on the basis of ultrasound reports and images. The majority (62.3%) of uncomplicated cysts were CE1, 66% of which were treated surgically. Of all interventions, 5% were performed on inactive uncomplicated CE4-CE5 cysts. About half (47.6%) of these cysts were therefore treated inappropriately, exposing patients to unnecessary treatment-related risks and the health system to unnecessary costs. No management change was observed after the publication of the WHO-IWGE Expert Consensus recommendations in 2010. In Bulgaria, ABZ is still used in interrupted cycles as this is reimbursed, and peri-interventional chemoprophylaxis was not administered in the majority of surgical patients. Efforts are needed to introduce the WHO-IWGE classification and management recommendations and to encourage reception of state-of-the-art practices by public health regulatory bodies to improve patient quality of care and optimization of health resources.

Non-surgical and non-chemical attempts to treat echinococcosis: do they work?

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE) are chronic, complex and neglected diseases. Their treatment depends on a number of factors related to the lesion, setting and patient. We performed a literature review of curative or palliative non-surgical, non-chemical interventions in CE and AE. In CE, some of these techniques, like radiofrequency thermal ablation (RFA), were shelved after initial attempts, while others, such as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, appear promising but are still in a pre-clinical phase. In AE, RFA has never been tested, however, radiotherapy or heavy-ion therapies have been attempted in experimental models. Still, application to humans is questionable. In CE, although prospective clinical studies are still lacking, therapeutic, non-surgical drainage techniques, such as PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration) and its derivatives, are now considered a useful option in selected cases. Finally, palliative, non-surgical drainage techniques such as US- or CT-guided percutaneous biliary drainage, centro-parasitic abscesses drainage, or vascular stenting were performed successfully. Recently, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-associated techniques have become increasingly used to manage biliary fistulas in CE and biliary obstructions in AE. Development of pre-clinical animal models would allow testing for AE techniques developed for other indications, e.g. cancer. Prospective trials are required to determine the best use of PAIR, and associated procedures, and the indications and techniques of palliative drainage.

Hepatic cystic echinococcosis: percutaneous treatment as an outpatient procedure

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate utility and safety of the puncture aspiration injection and reaspiration (PAIR) technique for outpatients.

METHODS

Percutaneous treatment with US guidance was applied to 33 patients for 44 cysts. Patients treated with the PAIR technique, were outpatients. PAIR and catheterization technique were evaluated for efficacy and safety of procedure and complication rates.

RESULTS

Thirty-five of 44 cysts were treated with the PAIR and 9 of 44 were treated with the catheterization technique. The success rate of the cysts Gharbi type 1 (CE1) and type 2 (CE3a) treated with the PAIR technique was 100%. In the follow up of 9 cysts treated with the catheterization technique, 2 of them (22%) developed cyst infection and 1 (11%) developed a biliary fistula.

CONCLUSIONS

The PAIR technique was found to be an effective and safe approach in order to treat Gharbi type 1 and type 2 cysts percutaneously for outpatients. It has a very low complication rate in comparison with the catheterization technique. So every effort should be made to finish the treatment with PAIR technique.

Cystic echinococcosis of the liver: A primer for hepatologists

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a complex, chronic and neglected disease with a worldwide distribution. The liver is the most frequent location of parasitic cysts. In humans, its clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe, potentially fatal disease. Four approaches exist in the clinical management of CE: surgery, percutaneous techniques and drug treatment for active cysts, and the ”watch and wait” approach for inactive cysts. Allocation of patients to these treatments should be based on cyst stage, size and location, available clinical expertise, and comorbidities. However, clinical decision algorithms, efficacy, relapse rates, and costs have never been properly evaluated. This paper reviews recent advances in classification and diagnosis and the currently available evidence for clinical decision-making in cystic echinococcosis of the liver.

Primary hydatid cyst of the axillary region: a case report

Introduction. Hydatid disease is a disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common Echinococcus species affecting human. It may affect any organ and tissue in the body, most in the liver and lung. Disease is endemic in some regions of the world, and is common in Iran. Primary hydatid cyst of the axillary region is an unusual and rare localization of hydatid disease. So far, only sixteen cases have been published in the all medical literature. Case Report. Herein, we present a 33-year-old woman because of a mass in the axillary region of four months duration. Axillary ultrasonography showed a thick wall cystic lesion. No abnormality was found in mammographic examination of either breast, or in abdominal ultrasonography and chest X-ray. The mass was excised for pathological examination that showed a typical laminated membrane of hydatid cyst. Postoperative IgG- ELISA serology in this case was negative. Based on pathology an axillary hydatid cyst was diagnosed. Conclusion. Hydatid cyst should be considered in endemic areas in patients presenting with a soft tissue mass in the axillary region.

Pharmacology of sclerotherapy

Sclerotherapy is the therapeutic use of sclerosants in the controlled destruction of undesired target tissues. Sclerosants have been used in vascular and nonvascular settings, both as primary and adjunctive therapy. Effective sclerotherapy requires a conceptual understanding of key questions about the process being treated, including the method of delivery, the presence of flow, and the required contact time to initiate sclerosis. However, beyond technique and delivery, practical and safe application of sclerotherapy requires an understanding of the uses, limitations, dosing, and side effects of sclerosants used during interventional radiology procedures. Agents discussed here include detergents and surfactants [ethanol, Sotradecol(®) (Bioniche Pharma, Pointe Claire, Quebec and Angiodynamics, Latham, NY), ethanolamine oleate], hypertonics (saline, glucose), and a review of several other types that are used less frequently.

Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans

The earlier recommendations of the WHO-Informal Working Group on Echinococcosis (WHO-IWGE) for the treatment of human echinococcosis have had considerable impact in different settings worldwide, but the last major revision was published more than 10 years ago. Advances in classification and treatment of echinococcosis prompted experts from different continents to review the current literature, discuss recent achievements and provide a consensus on diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Among the recognized species, two are of medical importance -Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis - causing cystic echinococcosis (CE) and alveolar echinococcosis (AE), respectively. For CE, consensus has been obtained on an image-based, stage-specific approach, which is helpful for choosing one of the following options: (1) percutaneous treatment, (2) surgery, (3) anti-infective drug treatment or (4) watch and wait. Clinical decision-making depends also on setting-specific aspects. The usage of an imaging-based classification system is highly recommended. For AE, early diagnosis and radical (tumour-like) surgery followed by anti-infective prophylaxis with albendazole remains one of the key elements. However, most patients with AE are diagnosed at a later stage, when radical surgery (distance of larval to liver tissue of >2cm) cannot be achieved. The backbone of AE treatment remains the continuous medical treatment with albendazole, and if necessary, individualized interventional measures. With this approach, the prognosis can be improved for the majority of patients with AE. The consensus of experts under the aegis of the WHO-IWGE will help promote studies that provide missing evidence to be included in the next update.

Cutaneous bronchobiliary fistula treated with Tissucol sealant

Bronchobiliary fistula is a rare and is an uncommon but severe complication of hydatid disease of the liver. Treatment has traditionally been surgical resection, but embolization and stent placement have been described. The invasive method seems to be a key component of patient treatment. We describe a case of a 58-year-old woman who, 25 years before, had undergone surgery for a hydatid cyst. A total cystectomy without previous puncture or parasite extraction was carried out. The lower aspect of the cyst was found to be completely perforated over the biliary duct. During the postoperative course, the patient had subphrenic right-sided pleural effusion and biliary fistula that subsided with medical treatment. Afterward, the patient came to the outpatient area of our hospital complaining of leakage of purulent exudate through the cutaneous opening, pain located on the right hypochondrium radiating to the right hemithorax, malaise, fever, chronic cough, and occasional vomiting of bile. Fistulography revealed an anfractuous cavity communicating with a residual cystic cavity on the right hepatic lobe. We observed communication with the intrahepatic canaliculi. Computed tomographic scan revealed a fistulous tract on the anterior liver border through the abdominal wall. There were no posttreatment complications. The patient is asymptomatic.

Refractory cystobiliary fistula secondary to percutaneous treatment of hydatid cyst: treatment with N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate embolization

A 27-year-old female with a type 2 hydatid cystic lesion in the liver according to the Gharbi classification (CE 3A according to the WHO classification) was referred for percutaneous treatment after albendazole treatment for 1 year. A catheterization technique was performed but hypertonic saline and alcohol were not given into the cavity due to cystobiliary leakage. During the 4-month follow-up period, sequential cavitography revealed biliary fistula, and bile-stained drainage had not been ceased despite the sphincterotomy, nasobiliary drainage catheter, and plastic stent. Since the patient refused to surgery, we embolized the biliary fistula using N-butyl 2-cyanoacrylate for the first time in the literature. At the 3-month follow-up, the patient's course was uneventful and ultrasound, multidetector-row CT, and MRI examinations revealed no collection in or adjacent to the cavity.

Update on cystic hydatid disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cystic echinococcosis, or cystic hydatidosis, is a complex, chronic disease with a cosmopolitan distribution. In humans, its clinical spectrum ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe, rarely even fatal disease. Four approaches in clinical management exist: surgery, percutaneous techniques and drug treatment for active cysts, and the so-called watch and wait approach for inactive cysts. Allocation of patients to these treatments should be based on cyst stage, size and location, available clinical expertise and comorbidities. However, clinical decision algorithms, efficacy, relapse rates, and costs have never been properly evaluated.We review the currently available evidence for clinical decision-making and discuss ways to improve standards of care of one of the most neglected infectious diseases.

RECENT FINDINGS

Data are mostly derived from case series and small clinical trials, and treatment guidelines remain at the level of expert opinion. No single high-quality comparative clinical trial of the four treatment options is available to resolve important questions such as stage-specific allocation of treatments, adverse events and long-term relapse rates. Recent work is beginning to acknowledge this problem.

SUMMARY

Currently, four treatment modalities are available for cystic echinococcosis. The level of evidence on which clinicians have to rely is low. For the time being patients should thus be treated in referral centres. Proper comparative clinical trials are urgently needed.

Liver hydatid cyst with transdiaphragmatic rupture and lung hydatid cyst ruptured into bronchi and pleural space

The aim of this case study is to present effectiveness of percutaneous drainage as a treatment option of ruptured lung and liver hydatid cysts. A 65-year-old male patient was admitted with complicated liver and lung hydatid cysts. A liver hydatid cyst had ruptured transdiaphragmatically, and a lung hydatid cyst had ruptured both into bronchi and pleural space. The patient could not undergo surgery because of decreased respiratory function. Both cysts were drained percutaneously using oral albendazole. Povidone-iodine was used to treat the liver cyst after closure of the diaphragmatic rupture. The drainage was considered successful, and the patient had no recurrence of signs and symptoms. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic recovery was observed during 2.5 months of catheterization. The patient was asymptomatic after catheter drainage. No recurrence was detected during 86 months of follow-up. For inoperable patients with ruptured liver and lung hydatid cysts, percutaneous drainage with oral albendazole is an alternative treatment option to surgery. The percutaneous approach can be life-saving in such cases.

Long-term follow-up of the percutaneous treatment of hydatid cyst in the adrenal gland: a case report and review of the literature

Although the most involved organs are liver and lung, hydatid cysts occur in adrenal glands, rarely, and constitute only 0.5% of hydatid cysts. Herein, we demonstrate and discuss, for the first time in the literature to the best of our knowledge, the radiological features of adrenal hydatid disease and evaluate the long-term results (57 months of follow-up) of the percutaneous treatment of hydatid cyst in the adrenal gland in a patient.

Sonographic spectrum of hydatid disease

Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a parasitic disease that is endemic in many parts of the world. Hydatid cyst demonstrates a variety of imaging features, varying according to growth stage, associated complications, and affected tissue. The radiologic findings range from purely cystic lesions to a completely solid appearance. Ultrasound is the most important imaging modality for liver hydatid disease and clearly demonstrates the floating membranes, daughter cysts, and hydatid sand characteristically seen in purely cystic lesions. The radiologist's familiarity with the imaging findings of the disease is very important for earlier diagnosis and an appropriate treatment. There are several classification schemes for liver hydatid cysts based on their ultrasound appearances; the initial classification by Gharbi et al and the World Health Organization classification are the most commonly preferred. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging play a key role in recognizing the complications such as rupture and infection of cysts associated with hydatid disease. Today, percutaneous treatment of liver hydatid cysts, a safe, easily applicable, and well-tolerated method, has become the most effective and reliable treatment procedure in most cases if the hydatid cyst is viable. In patients treated with the percutaneous treatment technique, a decrease in the dimensions of the cyst, solidification of the cyst contents, and irregularity in the walls of cysts are signs suggestive of cure. The radiologist should also be familiar with the postoperative follow-up ultrasound findings of hydatid cyst to prevent misinterpretation of the hypoechoic, anechoic, or hyperechoic appearance of posttreatment hydatid disease appearance as recurrence.