Publication:

Clinical presentation of hydatid cyst of liver: descriptive study

Background The hydatid cyst is unique and localized in the right lobe of the liver in 65%. The most frequent extrahepatic locations are the lungs, the spleen and the peritoneum. Liver (55-70%) is the obvious first site after entry through the gut and passage in the portal circulation. Most cysts tend to be located in the right lobe.

Methods Thirty patients presenting  with varying gastrointestinal symptoms and signs, and symptoms of space occupying lesions of liver like obstructive jaundice, mass per abdomen, patients with complications due to rupture of hydatid cyst formed the study subjects.

Results The most common presenting complaint was pain abdomen (90%) followed by mass abdomen (30%). Prodormal symptom was present in 50% of patients. Jaundice was present in 3.3% of patients.

Conclusions The most common age group affected was 25 - 29 years (50%) followed by 35 - 39 years (46.7%).