Abstract

Parasitic hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus Granulosus is endemic in our country. Different from adults it can localized more frequently in lungs of the children With this article we evaluated our patients so as to present our approach in the treatment of pulmonary echinococcosis.

We have investigated, retrospectively clinical sign of the patients with diagnosis of pulmonary cyst hydatid treated in our clinic, our medical and surgical treatment modalities, and their outcomes.

The study population consisted of 8 boys and 4 girls, with a mean age of 10.5±3.9 years. Most commonly seen symptoms were cough (n:7), chest pain (n:3) and fever (n:3). In 7 patients disease was localized in right lung. Cysts were most frequently localized in the the upper and middle lobes rather than the lower lobe. In 3 patients additionally hydatic cyst was detected in the liver. Simple and complicated hydatid cysts were also detected in 6 and 4 patients, respectively. All the patients were treated surgically, following preoperative treatment with albendazole for an average of 22.7±9.04 days. Nine patients were treated surgically with standard posterolateral thoracotomy+partial excision, 1 patient with lobectomy,and anolther patient with segmentectomy. As a scolicidal agent we used 20% hypertonic NaCl solution. There were no need for intracavitary capitonnage except for fistulized areas. Postoperatively in 6 patients complications were seen [fistula;n:3, and, pneumothorax, n:3, and pleural effusion (n:3)]. Thoracoscopy+decortication were performed in one patient as a result of postoperative adhesions. Chest tubes of the patients were removed at postoperative 15.09±11.09 days, and mean hospital stay was 26.5±11.8 days.

With use of albendazole starting preoperatively till postoperative third month, cyst drainage, and partial excision as surgical treatment without capitonnage it is possible to get preferred results. With this treatment modality we have no recurrences.