[Echinococcosis--current status of diagnosis and therapy]

The most frequent parasitosis in Europe is the infection by Echinococcus spp. Echinococcus granulosus is identified worldwide, 60% of all human infection are found in the liver, where cysts (hydatides) are built. Echinococcus alveolaris is found in the northern hemisphere, endemic in Middle Europe in Southern Germany, Austria and parts of Switzerland. 98% of all human infection are localized in the liver, where infiltrative growth destroying the tissue is found. Diagnosis is based on serological techniques, ultrasound and CT-scanning. Surgery is the only curative therapy by resection of cystic areas followed by chemotherapy with Mebendazole. In studies Albendazole has shown better results. CT-guided percutaneous drainage followed by instillation of hypertonic saline is performed in case of non-resectable hydatidosis.