Scan appearances in hydatid cysts of the liver: analysis of 55 cases

Liver scans done at our Centre between 1964 and 1977 were analyzed with reference to hydatid cysts in liver. Among the approximately 7200 patients analyzed, there were 55 suspected to have hydatid cysts. The criteria adopted in screening the patients for hydatid cysts were based upon clinical findings and liver scan findings. The cases were analyzed with respect to their histologic findings, locations of cold areas in the liver, and correlation with Casoni's test. We found that 1) the cystic involvement was most often in the right lobe of the liver; 2) Casoni's test does not rule out or establish the presence of hydatidosis; 3) radioisotopic vascular studies done in some cases contributed to the diagnosis; 4) although a positive liver scan does not indicate the cause of the disease, the scans showing large and totally photon-deficient cold areas along with good general condition of the patients help in the diagnosis of hydatid cysts in the liver.