Alveolar Hydatid Disease of the Liver: Rationale and Technics of Surgical Treatment

Cestodes of the genus Echinococcus cause two distinct diseases: the well-known cystic hydatid disease found in stock-raising areas, caused by E. granulosus, and the more rare alveolar hydatid disease, which is limited to the northern hemisphere and is caused by the biologically and morphologically distinct E. multilocularis. Eight cases of alveolar hydatid disease of the liver are reported from Alaska, including three patients who underwent hemihepatectomy for advanced lesions. Radical resection is concluded to be the only rational treatment for this otherwise progressive and fatal disease