Intracystic infection of liver hydatidosis

Backgrounds/Aims: The aim of this study was to review the clinical presenta tion and management of patients with intracystic bacterial infection in liv er hydatidosis. Methodology: The records of 480 patients suffering from liver hydatid disea se treated at our institution were reviewed. Only 42 patients fulfilled int racystic bacterial infection criteria. We assessed the incidence, clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures and surgical approach in the se cases. Results: The incidence of intracystic bacterial infection was steady throug hout the study period. Clinical and laboratory data are non-specific. Diagn ostic procedures for intracystic bacterial infection, including liver compu ted tomography scan, are of limited value. Although both, radical and nonra dical surgical approaches, were used in these patients, mortality was assoc iated with non-radical surgery. The morbidity rate was high regardless of t he procedure used. Conclusions: Our current goal in the management of intracystic bacterial in fection, if overall condition of the patient is good, is to carry out a tot al or subtotal cystectomy in order to avoid mortality and hydatid disease r elapses.