ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the serological and radiological analysis and medical and surgical treatment results of patients diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis (CE).

Records belonging to a total of 67 patients diagnosed with CE who presented to the Kars Kafkas University Faculty of Medicine Research Hospital’s Surgical Outpatient unit between January 2012 and December 2015 were retrospectively evaluated.

Of 67 CE cases, 53 (79.1%) were females and 14 (20.9%) were males. The age ranged between 12 and 77 years, and the mean age was 47.37±17.81 years. The most common cyst location was the liver, in 60 patients (89.5%). Other localizations were found in 7 (10.5%) of the 67 cases. Open surgery was used to treat 32, and drainage accompanied by ultrasonography (USG) was used to treat 13 cystic cases. The remaining 22 patients were followed-up. Among the followed-up patients, the radiologic imaging findings of six patients were consistent with a hydatid cyst, but the indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) results were negative.

We concluded that CE is an important public health problem for the Kars region due to a low socioeconomic and educational level, where livestock breeding is also common. More comprehensive epidemiological studies should be undertaken and national control programs are required to keep the disease under control.

Keywords: Cystic echinococcosis, surgical treatment, ercutaneous drainage, Kars, Turkey