Effect of hypertonic saline and alcohol on viability of daughter cysts in hepatic hydatid disease

Objective: To test the efficacy of hypertonic saline (20%) and absolute alc ohol on the integrity of daughter cysts and the viability of the protoscole ces contained in these cysts. Design: Experimental study. Setting: Teaching hospital, Turkey. Material: 80 daughter cysts obtained from two patients with Gharbi type III hydatid cysts of the liver. Interventions: The cysts were divided into two groups, in the first of whic h cysts were placed into hypertonic saline and in the second into absolute alcohol; they were kept there for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. Main ontcome measures: integrity of the cyst wall and viability of the cont ents were evaluated using a vital staining technique with 0.1% eosin. Results: Neither hypertonic saline nor absolute alcohol solution had any ef fect on the integrity of the daughter cysts or the viability of the protosc oleces. Conclusion: Percutaneous drainage of type III hydatid cysts can lead to hig h recurrence rates.