Hydatid Cyst with Multiple Organ Involvement in Northwest of Iran, Ardabil Province

  Background & objectives:  Hydatid cyst is a major hygiene problem in Iran. In 80% of cases, only one organ is involved. However, multiorgan involvement has also been rarely reported. But it seems, the prevalence of hydatid cyst with the involvement of more than one organ in Iran is more than other world. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients with hydatid cyst multi organ involvement in Ardabil province in northwest of Iran. Methods: In this retrospective study, 34 patients with hydatid cyst with involvement in more than one organ were included. For each patient, a pre-designed questionnaire including name, age, education level, occupation, place of residence, cyst location, clinical manifestations and serologic test results were completed. Patients, who had previously a history of treatment due to hydatid cyst, were excluded from the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 36.41 years. 61.8% of the patients were housewives and 64% were rural residents. The most commonly involved organs was liver and simultaneous involvement of liver and lung was observed in 38.2% of patients and was more in women. The association of the right lung cyst with the liver cysts was greater than that of the left lung. Only in 43% of the patients, the serologic test was positive for hydatid cyst, and the relationship between serologic test and type of involvement was not significant. Conclusion: Regarding the high incidence of hydatid cyst involvement in more than one location in our region, in all patients, especially women with liver hydatid cyst, other organs, especially the lungs, should be investigated