Diagnosis and treatment of uncomplicated hydatid cyst of the liver

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.