IMPORTANCE OF LABORATORY TESTS IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND FOLLOW UP OF PATIENTS WITH INTRATHORACIC HYDATIDOSIS

Background: Hydatidosis in human is a zoonotic infection of worldwide importance. It is caused by the second larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. The aim of the current study was to evaluate serological findings in the diagnosis and during postoperative follow up of patients with intrathoracic hydatidosis.

Materials and Methods: Seventy patients with intrathoracic hydatidosis who underwent surgical intervention were retrospectively studied. There were 37 male and 33 female patients ranging in age from 8 to 69 years. Routine laboratory tests and Echinococcus indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) were performed in each patient. Two patients with cardiac hydatidosis were operated on with median sternotomy. The remaining 68 patients with pulmonary hydatidosis were operated on via posterolateral thoracotomy.

Results: Ten (26.3%) of the 38 patients with intact cyst had no symptoms, whereas only two (6.6%) of the 30 patients with ruptured cyst were asymptomatic. Results of serological examination by echinococcal IHA test were negative in 11 (47.4%) of the 30 patients with perforated pulmonary hydatid disease and negative in 18 (36.7%) of the 38 patients with intact pulmonary cyst. In two patients with intact cardiac hydatidosis, serological tests were negative. In patients with pulmonary hydatidosis, parenchyma preserving surgery was preferred. There were no recurrences during the follow-up period ranging between two and five years.

Conclusion: Preoperative albendazole therapy may cause severe complications. The serological tests are suitable for postoperative follow up, because clinical and radiological findings may be initially absent in case of recurrences. Therefore, recurrences can be diagnosed early by serologic testing.