Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Echinococcus

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease


Symptoms

A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
  • Bloody sputum
  • Chest pain
  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Severe skin itching

Signs and tests

A physical examination may show signs of:

  • Abdominal pain
  • Problems with the skin and other organs
  • Shock

The following tests may be done to find the cysts:

  • Abdominal CT scan or ultrasound
  • Abdominal X-ray
  • Blood test
  • Chest x-ray
  • Liver function tests
  • Thoracic CT scan or ultrasound

Most often, echinococcosis is found when an imaging test is done for another reason.


Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)