[Splenic hydatic cyst. Observations upon 38 cases of splenic echinococcosis]

15 patients with spleen hydatic cysts have been operated between 1986-1998, in percentage of 4.6% from the total number of hydatic cysts--8 females and 7 males with mean age of 44 years (17-70). They have been admitted for abdominal pain (66.6%) and at the clinical examination they presented a cystic tumor at the level of the spleen. In all the patients we performed splenectomy. In conclusion the hydatic cyst of the spleen is rare, but possible, the treatment being only surgical.