Evaluation of cases with hydatid diseases

Abstract

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical data and prognosis of the cases of hydatid disease during a 8-year period who were followed up by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Clinic.Methods: Demographic, clinical, laboratory data and prognosis of 41 patients with hydatid disease were evaluated between the period of 2000 to 2008 years retrospectively.Results: A total of 41 children were included in this study. There were 21 females (51%) and 20 males (49%). The patients were aged between 5 and 17 years with a mean of 11.50 +/- 3.14 years. Most children presented with the complaint of cough (36%), abdominal pain (29%) and rash (17%). Decreased breath sounds were observed in 46% of patients, urticarial rash in 12% of patients. The hydatid disease was located in the lung only in 37%, in the liver only in 35%, simultaneously in the lung and liver in 17%, and the spleen only in 5% of the all patients. A positive indirect hemagglutination assay result was obtained (titration >= 1/32) in 32 (78%) patients and a negative result was obtained in 9 (22%) patients initially. Albendazole was given as 15 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. The cure times were between 3 and 27 cycles with a mean of 7.31 +/- 5.75. In all, 71% of the patients were given medical treatment and underwent surgery, 12% of patients were given medical and invasive radiological procedures, 10% of patients were given medical treatment only and 7% of patients were given medical treatment, invasive radiological procedure and underwent surgery. All of the patients were cured. Recurrence of hydatid disease was not seen during the follow up period.Conclusion: Planning of the optimal treatment regimen of hydatid disease according to clinical involvement and characteristics of the patients can increase the treatment success. The cure may take a long time, although the patient undergoes surgery and invasive drainage.