A 14 Years Hospital Based Study on Clinical and Morphological Spectrum of Hydatid Disease

Introduction: Hydatid disease is endemic in sheep and cattle-raising areas worldwide. Its prevalence is high in Nepal. The study was carried out to determine the clinical, radiological and pathological presentations of hydatid disease. Methods: This was a retrospective study of all hydatid disease cases reported in Department of Pathology, from August 1996 to July 2010. All the clinical, radiological and pathological data were collected and collated. Results: A total of 51 cases of hydatidosis were studied. Patients presented with related symptoms in 47 cases, 92.16% with CI (84.78, 99.54) and asymptomatic in four cases, 7.84% with CI (0.46, 15.22). Involvement of liver and lung was found in 35 (68.63%) cases and 10 (19.61%) cases respectively. Involvement of other organs like kidney, pelvis and broad ligament were seen in 6 of the cases. Total 29 cases, 56.86% with CI (43.2, 70.46) had solitary cyst while rest of the cases had multiloculated cyst. All cases had radiological correlation and histopathological confirmation. Conclusions: Most cases presented with organ related vague symptoms, however it should be considered as a differential diagnosis especially in asymptomatic cases and cases with unusual sites. Imaging studies is useful in preoperative diagnosis and postoperative histopathology is confirmatory. A multicentric hospital based study will help to decrease the incidence. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords: echinoccocus; hydatid cyst; hydatidosis