Abdominal hydatid disease: US findings during medical treatment.

Abstract

The sonographic appearance of 141 hepatic and abdominal hydatid cysts was studied in 63 patients undergoing therapy with benzoimidazolic compounds. The cysts were evaluated for size, margins of the cyst wall, and echo pattern of cyst contents to establish the response to the drugs. Changes seen on ultrasound (US) scans were classified as decrease in size, detachment of the cyst membrane, and appearance of echogenic material (matrix) in the cyst cavity. These findings, particularly the diffusely hyperechoic pattern, are explained on the basis of the action of the drugs. Twenty-one patients underwent surgery at the end of treatment. The US patterns of treated hydatid cysts are similar to those seen, though more rarely, in cases of spontaneous parasite involution in long-standing hydatidosis.

A female with cough, dyspnoea and chest pain

“…The cyst wall became thicker and the fluid content of the lesions was replaced by air. Antiparasitic drugs caused the detachment of the membranes and cell autolysis [6]. The air content of the cysts can be attributed to this detachment and autolysis.…”

“…In these cases, medical therapy is advised [6,7]. Changes observed during the medical therapy are generally examined in liver cyst-hydatid disease on US.…”

“…Changes observed during the medical therapy are generally examined in liver cyst-hydatid disease on US. The cyst size, intracystic sonographic pattern and the nature of the wall changes during therapy are reported in the literature [6].…”

Benign liver lesions: grey-scale and contrast-enhanced ultrasound appearances

“…26,30 When the matrix fills the cyst completely, a mixed echogenic pattern is created that mimics a solid mass ( Figure 6). 28,30,31 Cyst calcification usually occurs in the cyst wall, although internal calcification in the matrix may also be seen. US demonstrates a hyperechoic contour with a coneshaped acoustic shadow.…”

“…31 When the cyst wall is heavily calcified, only the anterior portion of the wall is visualised and appears as a thick arch with a posterior concavity. 31 Partial calcification of the cyst does not always indicate the death of the parasite; nevertheless, densely calcified cysts may be assumed to be inactive. 27,32 There is little data in the published literature on the CEUS appearances of hydatid disease.…”