[Echinococcoses of the human. Diagnosis and therapy]

The clinical symptoms of hydatid disease result from the suppression and damage of the parenchyma of liver or lung. They resemble those of neoplastic diseases but show comparatively slower progression. For the diagnosis of cysts serological procedures, sonography, CT-scan and laparoscopy are discussed. One should be aware that exploratory puncture might be dangerous because of the possibility of generalized spread. Among 17 patients referred to Erlangen University Hospital with echinococcus cysticus the correct diagnosis was made in only 9 patients whereas the diagnosis on admission was correct in 8 out of 13 patients with echinococcus alveolaris. The treatment of choice is intraoperative sterilization of the cystic fluid with 0,5% silver nitrate followed by radical surgery.