Hydatid cyst disease can mimic many other diseases in the body. This may necessitate various diagnoses which may delay treatment. This delay can create chronic complications and may also be fatal for the affected person. Hydatid cyst disease is an infection affecting liver and lungs. It is caused by ingestion of food contaminated with eggs of echinococcus granulosus. Adult worms of echinococcus live in intestines of dogs. Eggs released may be ingested by human beings in case they eat contaminated food, particularly uncooked or undercooked meat and also sometimes through raw vegetables. Like any other infectious illness, a person of any age or gender can be affected. After ingestion of eggs, embryos are liberated in human intestines. From here they move to other parts of the body, particularly liver and lungs. After reaching these parts, the larvae develop into fluid filled sacs or cysts. These cysts continue to grow. As the cysts grow in size and number, they cause pressure symptoms in the affected part and damage to the tissues. In the liver, compression of the bile ducts can lead to jaundice. There is also dull pain in the right side of the abdomen, loss of appetite and vomiting. A hard mass is formed in the abdomen due to the cysts which may be mistaken for a tumour of the liver. When the cysts develop in the lungs, one can develop cough, shortness of breath, bloody expectoration, fluid in the lungs. Rupture of the cysts can lead to filling of fluid in the peritoneal cavity or pericardial cavity. Allergic reaction can occur in the body. This is manifested in the form of rashes, sweating, low blood pressure, cough and shortness of breath. At times this allergy can be fatal. Some people have allergic symptoms like skin rashes, dry cough, e.t.c. just due to the presence of cysts. Hydatid cyst disease can be mistaken for other diseases like hepatitis, stones of the gall bladder, pneumonia, tuberculosis, e.t.c. Therefore it requires a high index of suspicion to diagnose this disease so that timely treatment can be initiated before further damage occurs in body parts. Diagnosis is made by X-ray, C.T. scan and serological tests. Treatment is by antihelminthic drugs like albendazole or praziquantel. Surgery is needed when there are multiple cysts causing compression in any part of the body. Drugs are also given from weeks to months after surgery to ensure total clearance of the infection. All these problems can be very easily prevented by observing one small precaution, that is to avoid eating raw or undercooked food particularly meat and meat products. Raw vegetables if consumed should be washed thoroughly. Thus one can avoid contracting Hydatid cyst disease. Dr Rachna PandeSpecialist Int. medicineContact: rachna212002@yahoo.co.uk
