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A study of pulmonary hydatid disease in children. 1. Epidemiological and clinical characteristics
1Pediatric Surgery Department, Emergency Medical Institute N.I. Pirogov, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Insights
Pulmonary hydatid disease, a parasitic infection, affected 244 children in Bulgaria between 1980-1994. Diagnosis involved imaging and immunology, with most cases linked to dog contact.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a zoonotic parasitic infection.
- Pulmonary involvement is common, particularly in endemic regions.
- Pediatric cases require specific diagnostic and management considerations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric pulmonary hydatid disease.
- To review surgical management outcomes in children.
- To identify risk factors and common presentations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 244 pediatric patients (aged 1-15 years) surgically treated for pulmonary hydatid disease.
- Data collection spanned from 1980 to 1994.
- Diagnostic methods included X-rays, ultrasonography, computed tomography, and immunological tests.
Main Results:
- A gradual increase in case incidence was observed over the study period.
- Cysts were isolated in the lungs in 178 cases and disseminated in 66 cases.
- The majority of affected children were boys (61.1%), aged 8-15 years (60.3%), with 84.8% reporting dog contact.
- Common symptoms included cough, fever, malaise, chest pain, and dyspnea.
Conclusions:
- Pulmonary hydatid disease presents a significant challenge in pediatric populations, particularly in endemic areas.
- Early diagnosis and prompt surgical intervention are crucial for favorable outcomes.
- Understanding the epidemiological links, such as dog contact, is vital for prevention strategies.
Abstract:
Between 1980 and 1994, 244 children (aged 1-15 years) with pulmonary hydatid disease underwent surgery at the Emergency Medical Institute 'N. I. Pirogov', Sofia, Bulgaria. The number of cases/year generally increased with time. Initial diagnosis, based on X-rays, ultrasonography and computed tomography, was confirmed by immunology. Cysts were either found in the lungs alone (178 cases) or in the lungs and the liver, spleen, kidneys, brain and/or diaphragm (66 cases). Most (61.1%) of the cases were boys and most cases (60.3%) were aged 8-15 years. Most (84.8%) had also had direct or indirect contact with dogs. The clinical manifestations were variable but the most frequent were cough, elevated body temperature, adynamia, chest pain and dyspnoea.