Echinococcosis history and symptoms

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[3]

Overview

Persons with echinococcosis often remain asymptomatic. The clinical presentation of echinococcosis infection depends upon the site of the cysts and their size. The cysts are mainly found in the liver and lungs but can also appear in the brain, eyes, spleen, kidneys, heart, bone, and central nervous system. Cyst rupture is most frequently caused by trauma and may cause mild to severe anaphylactic reactions, even death, as a result of the release of cystic fluid.

History and Symptoms

Persons with echinococcosis often remain asymptomatic. The clinical presentation of echinococcosis infection depends upon the site of the cysts and their size. The cysts are mainly found in the liver and lungs but can also appear in the brain, eyes, spleen, kidneys, heart, bone, and central nervous system. Cyst rupture is most frequently caused by trauma and may cause mild to severe anaphylactic reactions, even death, as a result of the release of cystic fluid.

Common symptoms

Hepatic:

• No symptoms (if cysts are less than <10cms)
• Hepatomegaly
• Right upper quadrant pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Cysts can rupture into the biliary tree and produce biliary colic, obstructive jaundice, cholangitis, or pancreatitis
• Mass effects on the bile ducts, portal and hepatic veins, or on the inferior vena cava can result in cholestasis, portal hypertension, venous obstruction, or the Budd-Chiari syndrome

Pulmonary:

• Cough  
• Chest pain  
• Dyspnea 
• Hemoptysis  

Less common symptoms

Pulmonary:

• Malaise
• Nausea and vomiting
• Thoracic deformations

CNS:

• Seizures

Cardiac:

• Dyspnea
• Chest pain

Renal:

• Hematuria
• flank pain

• Pitting edema