Management of pulmonary hydatid cysts in a tertiary care centre in Northeast India

Abstract

Background

Hydatid cysts are the most common parasitic disease of the lungs. We reviewed our experience with pulmonary hydatid cysts focusing on clinical symptoms, diagnostic methodology, operative management and their outcome in our centre.

Methods

Between October 2008 and September 2013, 37 patients were operated in our department for lung parenchymal hydatid cysts. Twenty-six patients were female and 11 were male. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 years with a range of 16–44 years. The cysts were located in the right lung in 22 (59.46 %) patients, left lung in 14 (37.84 %) and bilaterally in 1 (2.70 %). We performed enucleation and capitonnage in 29 cases, cystotomy-drainage and capitonnage in 6 cases, wedge resection in 1 case and lobectomy in 1 case. Albendazole was given postoperatively to selected patients considered to be at high risk for recurrence.

Results

Chest X-ray, computerized tomographic scanning of the thorax was done in all cases for diagnosis. Most of the patients presented with solitary pulmonary cysts. One patient had bilateral pulmonary cysts and four patients had concomitant liver cysts. Postoperatively, there was no major morbidity. There was no in-hospital or 30-day mortality. The follow-up data was complete for 29 of the 37 patients. The mean follow-up period was 2.6 years with a range of 6 months to 5 years. During the said period, none of the patients had shown any recurrence.

Conclusion

Surgery for hydatid cysts of the lung can be safely performed, with low morbidity and a negligible mortality rate and is the treatment of choice.