چكيده لاتين :
Background: Surgery is the accepted method for treatment of
complicated liver hydatid cysts. However, there is no consensus
about the most appropriate management of incidentally
discovered asymptomatic echinococcal cysts of the liver. Expectant
management poses many patients at risk while operating
all clinically silent liver hydatids, would impose burden on
local health resources of endemic areas.
Methods: We investigated 47 patients with clinically silent,
ultrasonographically diagnosed liver hydatids during a period
of one to ten years, to clarify the natural history of hepatic echinococcal
cysts, Patients had a single asymptomatic liver
hydatid cyst. We offered the patients to choose surgical treatment,
or medical treatment with Albendazole. All patients declined
both forms of treatment on grounds of not feeling particularly
ill. Forty-three patients came back for regular followup
visits lasted for 13 to 118 months. They were placed into
three distinct groups, depending on their ensuing clinical
course of disease.
Results: Group A comprised of 16 patients whose initial
complaints did not worsen nor developed new symptoms. In
these patients the largest diameter of the cysts became smaller
or the cyst disappeared completely. Group B consisted of 19
asymptomatic patients. Their liver cyst had increased in size
from 2 to 7 cm with a mean diameter of 3.4 ern on ultrasound
evaluation. Group C consisted of 8 patients who returned with
complications of the cysts.
Conclusion: Because of low rate of complications among incidentally
discovered liver cysts, we suggest medical treatment for
such patients. Operation can be reserved for complicated cases.
