HYDATIDOSIS: A MYSTERY BOX AT VARIOUS SITES

Introduction: Hydatid disease caused by the larvae of the cestode Echinococcus, occurs worldwide. Although, hydatid can occur at any site, liver (59-75%), lung (27%) and spleen are the most commonly affected organs. Clinical suspicion along with radiological findings help in the diagnosis of hydatid. Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) plays an important role for initial diagnosis, while histopathology is confirmatory.

Aims:This study was carried out to know the various possible sites for hydatid and to understand the approach towards diagnosis.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a retrospective five years cross-sectional study, carried out at Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, in Department of Pathology. Total of 24 cases were found to have hydatidosis.

Results: maximum of 12 cases (50%) were seen in 41-60 years of age. liver as most common site of hydatid cyst (11 cases – 46%), followed by lung (25%) and spleen (17%).

Conclusion: Hydatidosis occurs worldwide with human as the dead-end host. FNAC is the easy, feasible way to diagnose hydatidosis. Histopathology plays the key role in autopsy cases.