Hydatid disease of the liver is still endemic in certain parts of the world
. The diagnosis of noncomplicated hydatid cyst of the liver depends on clin
ical suspicion. Ultrasonography and computed tomography, the most important
diagnostic tools, are helpful for determining the complications and planni
ng treatment. The modern treatment of hydatid cyst of the liver varies from
surgical intervention to percutaneous drainage or medical therapy. Surgery
is still the treatment of choice and can be performed by the conventional
or laparoscopic approach. Percutaneous drainage and treatment of the cyst w
ith hypertonic saline or alcohol seems to be a good alternative to surgery
in selected cases. Currently, we treat types I and II by ultrasound-guided
percutaneous drainage and types IV and V (excluding totally calcified cysts
) surgically. Type III cysts can be managed either way depending on the pre
sence of drainable content. We believe that the laparoscopic approach shoul
d be limited to noncomplicated cysts.