Abstract:
Purpose Pulmonary hydatid disease is a significant health
problem for children in endemic areas. Pulmonary hydatid
disease is more frequent than hepatic hydatid disease in
children. The aim of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of pulmonary hydatid disease for children in our
province which is endemic for echinococcosis.
Patients and methods This study was performed retrospectively between 2007 and 2012 by reviewing the medical records of patients (B17 years) who were diagnosed
with pulmonary hydatid disease. The medical records of
these patients were evaluated with respect to the demographic characteristics of patients, management strategies,
length of hospital stay, and outcomes.
Results A total of 120 (52.9 % boys and 46.3 % girls)
patients with the diagnosis of pulmonary hydatid disease
were enrolled in this study. The mean age was
10.15 ± 3.93 years. The significant numbers of patients
were admitted with a ruptured hydatid disease and managed with lung preservation. The mean follow-up was
11.3 ± 3.8 (3–24) months. Recurrence was detected in
three patients during follow-up.
Conclusion Pulmonary hydatid disease is usually symptomatic. Hydatid disease must be considered in differential
diagnosis while evaluating thoracic lesions in endemic
areas.
