Hydatid disease: imaging, treatment, and beyond.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Parasitology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Hydatidosis is an endemic parasitic infection with two main forms: Echinococcus granulosus (hydatid disease [HD]) and Echinococcus multilocularis (alveolar HD).
• The disease can affect nearly any organ in the body, presenting diverse clinical and radiological manifestations.
• Accurate diagnosis and staging are essential for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the diverse radiological morphologies of hydatidosis presentations.
• To highlight diagnostic imaging findings, including those in rare locations.
• To discuss the role of radiology in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up of hydatidosis.

Main Methods:

• Review of radiological imaging features of hydatidosis.
• Analysis of imaging findings based on HD stage, organ involvement, and complications.
• Discussion of diagnostic clues for rare sites and potential complications.

Main Results:

• Radiological imaging effectively characterizes cyst type, disease activity, and progression.
• Imaging features vary significantly depending on the HD stage, affected organ, and presence of complications.
• Specific radiological findings can suggest hydatidosis even in unusual anatomical locations.

Conclusions:

• Radiology plays a pivotal role in the comprehensive management of hydatidosis.
• Imaging guides treatment strategies and patient follow-up, enabling assessment of disease response and complications.
• Understanding diverse radiological presentations is key for timely and accurate diagnosis of hydatidosis.