Late ultrasonographic findings in cases operated for hydatid cyst of the liver

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate and present the images due to surgical intervention and to recurrences in patients who had been operated for hydatid cyst of the liver at least 12 months prior to the imaging process. Material and methods: A total of 77 patients (46 females, 31 males) with a mean age of 38 years (10-60 years) who had undergone surgical intervention for hydatid cyst of the liver were included in this study. The type and the number of operations were determined by reviewing previous medical records of the patients. Recurrence findings and postoperative images were examined by ultrasonography in all patients. Results: Of the 77 patients, 68 had undergone surgical operation for hydatid cyst of the liver for once, six cases for twice, one patient for three and another patient for four times. Ultrasonographic examination was considered normal in 9 (11.6%) patients. The most frequent finding in the remaining patients was hypoechoic (n = 6) and anechoic (n = 14) images with a hyperechoic periphery within the operation area. While a coarse heterogenous area was visualized in 12 cases (15.5%), a sole hypoechoic image was present in 10 patients. Recurrence was detected in 9 (11.6%) patients of whom 7 were asymptomatic. While daughter cysts were detected in two recurrent cases; the remaining were unilocular cysts. An omentum image extending to the operation area was detected in 11 patients. Calcification was present in 14 patients, whereas four cases had less common findings of anechoic tubular structures adjacent to the operation area. Conclusion: While the liver may seem normal by ultrasonography in the late postoperative period in patients, who had been operated for hydatid cyst of the liver, various images may also be present. These images may be misinterpreted as recurrence or other pathologies. Thus, the radiologist should be familiar with the postoperative ultrasonographic findings of hydatid cyst and should not misinterpret the image of anechoic fluid as recurrence. When in doubt, ultrasonographic follow-up is essential. An early postoperative ultrasonographic examination may be the key point in precluding a misdiagnosis. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.