PERITONEAL ECHINOCOCCOSIS

Peritoneal echinococcosis is rare, even in areas where hydatid disease is endemic. Although the liver and lungs are the organs most commonly involved, peritoneal echinococcosis, either primary or secondary, rep resents an uncommon but significant manifestation of the disease. We r eviewed the medical records of 121 patients with abdominal echinococco sis operated on in our department over the past 12 years. Peritoneal e chinococcosis was found in 17 patients, usually combined with liver di sease. The presenting symptoms were mostly atypical, and a few cases w ere discovered accidentally during routine follow-up after operations for hepatic echinococcosis. Surgery remains the best curative or palli ative treatment for peritoneal echinococcosis, although anthelmintics can be an effective alternative for the treatment of small and asympto matic cysts.