CT evaluation of liver hydatid disease

ABSTRACT

To elucidate distinctive CT imaging features that allow a diagnosis of hepatic hydatidosis. The computed tomographic [CT] findings of 58 patients with sonographically detected cystic liver lesions were prospectively analyzed. These patients were followed up until a final diagnosis was reached. By CT scanning we correctly localized and diagnosed 81 hepatic hydatid cysts in 50 patients. These were all proven by surgery or endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography [ERCP]. Stage III and II hydatid cysts were the commonest types [29% and 25% respectively]. 52% of the cysts were 5-10 cm at presentation. At CT, we identified some ancillary imaging features that help in the diagnosis of unilocular type I hepatic echinococcal cysts. Although no imaging feature can provide a definitive diagnosis of a unilocular type I hepatic echinococcal cyst, some ancillary imaging features may help in differentiating them from non parasitic simple liver cysts. Types II, III, and V hydatid cysts, on the other hand, have characteristic imaging features that allow their confidant diagnosis