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Infectious diseases
Volume 196 - Issue 8

Extensive cystic hydatid disease

Authors:  Melanie C Figtree, Matthew R Watts, Robyn Timmins, Ross Smith and Bernard J Hudson

Med J Aust 2012; 196 (8): 520. || doi: 10.5694/mja11.11570
Published online: 7 May 2012
A 46-year-old woman, who had lived in rural Australia as a child, presented with abdominal distension, jaundice and cachexia. Abdominal computed tomography showed extensive cystic disease of the liver, peritoneum, ovaries and uterus; well circumscribed coarsely calcified cysts were visible in the abdomen and pelvis (Figure A). Results of hydatid serological testing were consistent with ...
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A 46-year-old woman, who had lived in rural Australia as a child, presented with abdominal distension, jaundice and cachexia. Abdominal computed tomography showed extensive cystic disease of the liver, peritoneum, ovaries and uterus; well circumscribed coarsely calcified cysts were visible in the abdomen and pelvis (Figure A). Results of hydatid serological testing were consistent with Echinococcus granulosus infection (indirect haemagglutination titre, 256). The patient was managed with preoperative albendazole therapy, extensive surgical excision, hypertonic saline irrigation, and decompression of the ruptured left hepatic duct with a T-tube. Microscopy of cystic fluid aspirated during surgery showed viable evaginating protoscolices (Figure B; original magnification, × 400). Long-term suppressive therapy — albendazole 400 mg twice daily plus praziquantel 40 mg/kg twice weekly — was initiated with good effect.

Figure B

Authors

  • Melanie C Figtree1
  • Matthew R Watts2
  • Robyn Timmins1
  • Ross Smith1
  • Bernard J Hudson1
  • 1. Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney, NSW.
  • 2. Westmead Hospital, Sydney, NSW.

Correspondence: melfigtree@yahoo.com.au

View this article on Wiley Online Library

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