Echinococcosis of bone: clinico-laboratory findings and differential diagnostic problems

Twenty cases of echinococcosis affecting the skeleton are reported. These cases were diagnosed at the Pathology Department of KAT General Hospital over a 12 year period (1976-1988). The parasitosis involved individual bones or skeletal parts (spine 6, pelvis 6, femur 4, tibia 1, scapula 2 and maxilla 1). The age of the patients ranged from 20-74 years (mean age: 52 years) with preponderance of men. The diagnostic and differential diagnostic problems as well as the therapy and prognosis of this infestation are discussed.