The management of liver hydatid cysts by percutaneous drainage.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of percutaneous drainage on liver hydatid cysts. DESIGN A retrospective case study. SETTING Department of Surgery, Selçuk University, Konya, Turkey. PATIENTS Forty-five patients with 83 liver hydatid cysts (types I and II according to the classification of Gharbi and colleagues) followed up for a mean of 30 months (range from 14 to 36 months). INTERVENTION The cysts were drained percutaneously with ultrasonographic guidance and then irrigated with 0.05% silver nitrate solution through a fine needle. Albendazole was administered 48 hours before percutaneous drainage and for 2 months after the procedure to prevent the implantation of spilled scolices. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Complications of the procedure, decrease in size of the cyst cavity, recurrence and dissemination of the cysts. RESULTS All the cysts were treated successfully by percutaneous drainage. Anaphylactic shock developed in 1 (2.2 %) patient, and mild allergic reactions were observed in 2 (4.4 %) patients during the interventional procedure. Follow-up ultrasonography and CT demonstrated a statistically significant (p < 0.01) decrease in the mean cyst size. Recurrence and dissemination were not observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION Percutaneous fine-needle aspiration and drainage is effective for managing cystic liver hydatid disease in selected cases.