[Torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni]

We present 22 cases of torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni, attended in our hospital in the space of seven years (1981-1988), which were subjected to emergency operation. The ages ranged from 6 months to 16 years, with an average age of 9 years. The typical symptomatology was the sudden appearance of acute pain, located most frequently in the left side, accompanied by vegetative symptoms, without the existence of fever and micturition syndrome. The most significant exploratory diagnostic element in torsion of the hydatid of Morgagni prior to surgery is the palpation of a painful nodule on the upper pole of the testicle and which corresponds to the twisted hydatid. We outline the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment used, emphasising the importance of early surgery as the means of suppressing the symptomatology and forestalling complications, besides confirming the diagnosis.