Hydatid Disease in India: A 2-Year Retrospective Study Highlighting the Need of Imaging in Diagnosis

Abstract

Background & Aim: Hydatid disease is mainly caused by the larval stage of a tapeworm species of Echinococcus granulsus. Hydatid disease spreads in humans from animals through the fecaloral route. Hydatid disease mainly infects the liver, and after that lungs and may infect other organs also. Ultrasounds are the base for the diagnosis of hydatid disease. The main objective of the present study is to examine the load of hydatid disease in India for 2 years and focus on frequently utilized visualizing methods for its diagnosis.
Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study including 200 patients conducted in tertiary care centre for 2 years. Details of patients including age, sex, residence, involvement of organ, the total number of hydatid cysts, and area of the cyst were noted.
Results: Ultrasonography was a majorly utilized method for the diagnosis of hydatid cysts. The hepatic system was greatly influenced by hydatid cysts. The age group in which the disease was common was 30-50 years. Hydatid disease was more prevalent in women, 120 females and 80 males were infected with the disease.
Conclusion: Apart from awareness and regulatory actions that are executed by the Indian government to eliminate hydatid cysts, the outcome of the current research reveals hydatid disease is still considered a major community health issue in the country. Ultrasound helps in the primary detection of hydatid disease but the final detection was attained through operative excision of hydatid cyst. Presently, the operation is the only accessible treatment source for hydatid cysts.