[Sonographic findings in complications of cystic echinococcosis]

Apart from the difficult differential diagnosis of hydatid liver disease, diagnostic problems may increase in chronic disease because of complications. Compression or infiltration of bile ducts is the most common complication occurring in 16%. Other complications are infiltration of adjacent organs and structures, for instance the right kidney and the diaphragm, or the (often iatrogenic) rupture of hydatid cysts with intraperitoneal spread. Preoperative sonographic diagnosis is important in influencing the surgical procedure.