Rupture of a hydatid cyst into the gallbladder. Two case-reports.

Although biliary complications are common in patients with hydatid cysts, r upture of a hydatid cyst into the gallbladder has been rare in the author's experience (0.2%), Two cases are reported. The radiological diagnosis was done by ultrasound scanning alone, Both patients were young adults (22 and 24 years of age) with a single hydatid cyst in contact with the gallbladder . One patient had a 7-cm cyst in segment IV and the other a 5-cm cyst in se gment V The communication with the gallbladder measured 1 cm in one case an d 1.2 cm in the other. Passage of hydatid membrane into the gallbladder and cystic duct was visualized in both cases, In one case, the material from t he cyst caused dilatation of the gallbladder. Neither patient had dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Surgical findings confirmed the ultrasound scan results in both patients. Rupture of a hydatid cyst into extrahepatic biliary structures is a rare event that usually involves the right or left hepatic duct. In the few cases involving the gallbladder, the diagnosis is readily made by ultrasound scanning.