Spleen cystic echinococcosis: clinical manifestations and treatment.

AIM

The aim of our study was to demonstrate clinical manifestations and diagnostic methods of splenic echinococcosis and suggest surgical approach.

METHODS

The study involved 20 patients of previously diagnosed spleen echinococcosis. A diagnosis was made for each patient, based on medical history, biochemical and serological tests, physical examination and abdominal ultrasonography. All the patients received a CT scan of the abdomen. These patients had undergone the following surgery procedures: total splenectomy 13 (60%), and spleen-preserving surgery 7 (35%) patients. Histological examination confirmed the spleen echinoccocosis in all the patients.

RESULTS

Nonspecific left upper abdominal pain was present in 10 (50%) cases, while 5 (25%) patients presented with the right upper abdominal pain with dyspepsia and five patients (25%) were asymptomatic. Postoperative complications developed in 2/13 (15.4 %) patients who underwent total splenectomy, while there were no complications after spleen-preserving surgery.

CONCLUSION

Spleen-preserving surgery should be undertaken if possible in patients with spleen echinococcosis, and total splenectomy is reserved for the patients with large cysts located centrally or near the hilus.