Hydatid disease

Presentation	Appropriate Tests
	Hydatid antibodies. A positive result supports the clinical diagnosis but does not distinguish Echinococcus granulosus from E. multilocularis.
Visceral liver, lung	If hydatid disease is suspected, needle aspiration is contraindicated. Surgical excision - macroscopic appearance is diagnostic; histology may be useful to identify viable germinal epithelium.
Cyst rupture Eosinophilla Fever Urticaria Anaphylaxis Diffuse peritoneal, pleural implantation

Presentation

Appropriate Tests

Hydatid antibodies.

A positive result supports the clinical diagnosis but does not distinguish Echinococcus granulosus from E. multilocularis.

Visceral liver, lung

If hydatid disease is suspected, needle aspiration is contraindicated.

Surgical excision - macroscopic appearance is diagnostic; histology may be useful to identify viable germinal epithelium.

Cyst rupture

Glossary Terms