PERCUTANEOUS TREATMENT OF HYDATID CYSTS UNDER SONOGRAPHIC GUIDANCE

Nine patients (five males, four females) with 14 hydatid cysts were tr eated with albenda-zole and percutaneous drainage under sonographic gu idance. All but two cysts were hepatic. The average cyst diameter was 81.5 mm (range: 42-180 mm). There were eight type 1 cysts, two type 2, three type 3, and a single type 4. Type 1 and 2 cysts were treated by needle aspiration, type 3 and 4 by needle decompression and catheter drainage. The residual cavity was irrigated with 30% hypertonic saline and injected with absolute alcohol. Biliary fistulization contraindic ated alcohol use. All cysts were successfully treated. A single episod e of reversible anaphylaxis was encountered. Serial sonographic examin ations revealed residual cavities ranging from 10 to 35 mm in diameter . No new cysts were noted during an average follow-up of 9.6 months. T he mean hospital stay was 48 hr. Percutaneous drainage of hydatid cyst s is a relatively safe and cost-effective procedure.