What is hydatid cyst?
Hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis), which is in the group of diseases that cause infection, is a very common disease in our country. It is transmitted by ingesting the eggs of a type of microscopic parasite (Echinococcus granulosus), usually through contaminated vegetables and fruits. The parasite settles in the liver and forms cysts.
Cystic disease usually grows over time. Rarely, there will be calcification around it and the body will overcome the disease on its own. But as growth increases, it can put pressure on the environment and cause various complaints. It can cause pain due to the tension it creates, open to neighboring organs or bile ducts, become infected, or cause difficulty in the passage of food. In addition to hydatid cysts that are noticed due to such complaints, there are also hydatid cysts that are diagnosed by chance.
What kind of complaints does liver hydatid cyst cause? How is it diagnosed?
There may be one or more cysts in the liver. Small cysts usually do not cause complaints. In rare cases, symptoms such as bloating in the abdominal area, pain in the upper right part of the abdomen, nausea, vomiting, feeling of fullness, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, jaundice and high fever may be observed.
How is liver hydatid cyst diagnosed?
The disease is usually diagnosed due to ultrasound and tomography scans performed for other reasons. If a cyst is observed, various imaging techniques such as ultrasound, CT and MRI and blood tests are used to determine whether it is benign or not.
How is liver hydatid cyst treated?
The patient must be evaluated very well before treatment. The standard treatment for the disease is surgery. The surgical method may vary depending on the size of the cyst, its location in the liver, its number, and whether there are any complications. The stage of the cyst is also very important when choosing these treatment options.
It is possible to treat some hydatid cysts with interventional radiology. Before both treatments, medication is administered against these cysts for a period of time determined by your doctor. The aim of this treatment is not to completely cure the disease, but to minimize the possibility of the disease spreading into the abdomen during the radiology procedure or surgery.