Hydatid disease of the liver in children
Year: 1999
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Between 1986 and 1997, 21 children (ten boys and 11 girls) had surgery for hydatid disease of the liver. Their mean age was 6.5 years (range 3-12). Abdominal distention with a mass was the commonest presenting symptom (71.4%), followed by abdominal pain (38%). Hepatomegaly with a palpable mass was present in 12 (57%). Three children had concomitant pulmonary and brain hydatid disease. The diagnosis was established clinically and by skin testing, serology and imaging techniques. All patients received a pre-operative course of mebendazole (50 mg/kg/day) for between 1 and 8 weeks. At surgery, 11 children had a single cyst, eight of which were in the right lobe of the liver. Ten children had multiple cysts occupying both liver lobes. Three forms of surgical treatment were used: capitonnage + partial excision of fibrous capsule; total excision of the cyst; and external drainage of the cyst cavity. Three children required re-operation. Mean follow-up time was 24 months. There were no deaths, but five children developed post-operative complications. Surgical treatment in the form of primary closure of the cyst cavity without drainage seems to offer the best therapeutic option for patients with large hydatid cysts.
Source: Annals of Tropical Paediatrics
Authors: A. Al-Bassam, H. Hassab, Y. Al-Olayet, M. Shadi, G. Al-Shami, A. Al-Rabeeah, A. Jawad
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W10690260