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FOLLOW-UP
His family was screened for pulmonary cysts. A biyearly CXR was recommended, and yearly abdominal ultrasound.THE FOLLOWING IS A BRIEF REVIEW OF ECHINOCOCCUS (HYDATID DISEASE):
Echinococcosis
(Hydatid
Disease)
- larvae of class Cestoda
- genus Echinococcus
- 4 species, but 2 are responsible for the overwhelming majority of infections
in humans - larval stages of all four may develop in human and cause forms
of "HYDATID" disease
TWO clinically relevant forms:
1)
Echinococcus
granulosus
- cystic echinococcosis (CE), aka cystic hydatid disease
- very wide geographical distribution
2)
Echinococcus
multilocularis
- alveolar echinococcosis
- tumor-like liver lesions
- malignant behaviour
- tissue destruction
- 90% fatal if not treated
- less human exposure because infestation is usually associated with animals
in wild ecosystems (foxes, wolves, mice)
