Hydatid Liver Cyst

a hydatid cyst may also be referred to as an

echinococcal cyst

these cysts develop most commonly from

a parasite referred to as Echinococcus granulosus

Echinococcus granulosus parasite is a

tapeworm that lives in dog feces

food, such as vegetables, contaminated by feces is

consumed indirectly by sheep, cattle, goat, and possibly humans

there is a higher prevalence of hydatid disease in

sheep and cattle-raising countries such as the Middle East, Austrailia, and the Mediterranean

this parasite moves from

the bowel through the portal vein to enter the liver

clinically, patients present with

a low-grade fever and RUQ tenderness

Other signs and symptoms include

nasuea, obstructive jaundice, leukocytosis, and a slight raise in alkaline phosphatase

the sonographic appearance is

variable

hydatid cysts may appear as

an anechoic mass containing some debris

debris in the mass is referred to as

hydatid sand

the cyst os composed of

an endocyst, and a pericyst or ectocyst

the endocyst contained within the pericyst

may disconnect from the pericyst, and its wall may be clearly identified floating within the larger cyst

when the wall is clearly identified floating within the larger cyst, it is referred to as

the “water lily” sign

hydatid cysts may also appear as

cysts within a cyst

when they have an appearance of a cyst within a cyst, it is referred to as

a “mother” cyst containing “daughter” cysts

used to manage a hydatid liver cyst

surgical resection. Catheter drainage, or medical treatment

cyst ruptures could lead to

anaphylactic shock

clinical findings of a hydatid liver cyst

1. leukocytosis

2. low-grade fever

3. nausea

4. obstructive jaundice

5. RUQ tenderness

6. possible recent travel abroad

sonographic findings of a hydatid liver cyst

1. anechoic mass containing some debris (hydatid sand)

2. “water lily” sign appears as an endocyst floating within the pericyst

3. “mother” cyst containing one or more smaller “daughter” cyst

4. mass may contain some elements of dense calcification