HYDATID LIVER DISEASE ! A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

Hydatid cyst disease of the liver is a worldwide parasitosis with significant debilitating effect on the patients. In Bulgaria, the most important biological reservoir and the final host is the dog. The distribution of the disease in the territory of the country is variable. Advances of laboratory and imaging diagnostic methods provide new options for multimodal approach. Surgery has been mainstay of treatment, however, new minimally invasive methods such as laparoscopic surgery and PAIR present with advantages in selected patients. Perioperative therapy diminishes postoperative relapses. In the present review, new data about the epidemiology and recent achievements in diagnosis and management of hydatid liver disease are presented. Scripta Scientifica Medica 2013; 45(2): 17-22.