Percutaneous imaging-guided treatment of hydatid liver cysts: Do long-term results make it a first choice?

• Published in: European journal of radiology 2006-07, Vol.59 (1), p.65-73
• Main Authors: Kabaalioğlu, Adnan, Çeken, Kağan, Alimoglu, Emel, Apaydin, Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Albendazole - therapeutic use; Anticestodal Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Diseases caused by cestodes; Drug Therapy, Combination; Echinococcoses; Echinococcosis, Hepatic - diagnostic imaging; Echinococcosis, Hepatic - therapy; Echinococcosis-cyst; Female; Helminthic diseases; Humans; Hydatid disease; Infectious diseases; Liver; Liver Function Tests; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Parasitic diseases; Percutaneous drainage-liver; Radiography, Interventional; Saline Solution, Hypertonic - therapeutic use; Sclerosing Solutions - therapeutic use; Suction; Treatment Outcome; Ultrasonography, Interventional
• ISSN: 0720-048X; 1872-7727
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2006.01.014

To evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous imaging-guided treatment of hydatid liver cysts. Sixty patients with 77 hydatid liver cysts underwent percutaneous treatment with ultrasonography (US) or computed tomography (CT) guidance. Absolute alcohol and hypertonic saline were used for sclerosing the cysts after aspiration. Prophylactic albendazole treatment was given before and after the procedures. Follow-up US and CT were obtained periodically, and changes in cyst morphology were recorded. Minimum follow-up period for the patients included in this study was 12 months. Serological correlation was also available for a group of patients. The outcome of the procedures were categorized into five groups based on morphological changes observed by imaging. Procedures were regarded as successful in 80% and unsuccessful in 20% of patients. Failures most often occurred with type III cysts; less than half (39%) of the total type III cysts had a successful outcome. On the other hand, all type I cysts ended up with cure. Anaphylaxis, pneumotorax and severe pain interrupting the procedures were also among the reasons of failure. Percutaneous aspiration, injection and reaspiration (PAIR) of types I and II hydatid liver cysts is effective and safe in the long-term. Surgery should no longer be regarded as the first choice treatment in all hydatid liver cysts but should be reserved for type III and certain active type IV cysts.