[Focal hepatic lesions observed by echotomography with special reference to hydatidosis]

This article reports the results of 1080 ultrasonographic examinations of the liver in a clinic of the Ninth Region of Chile, using a SSD 620 Aloka equipment. In 61 examinations (5.6%) a focal liver lesion was found. Of these, 9 (14.7% of lesions) appeared as malignant (6 metastasis and 3 hepatomas) and 52 (85.3% of lesions) appeared as benign (10 inespecific calcifications of less than 10 mm, 6 vascular lesions, 12 simple cysts, 2 cases of polycystic liver and 9 cases fulfilled Gharbi's criteria for hepatic hydatidosis). The diagnosis in these 9 cases was confirmed by serology or surgery Thus, 14.7% of all focal lesions of the liver were due to hydatidosis. Considering that simple cysts are indistinguishable from hydatid cysts in early stages, hydatidosis could be misdiagnosed in this sample. It is concluded that serologic tests should be performed to all cystic hepatic ultrasonographic lesions, specially in zones with high infestations rates.