ROLE OF ULTRASOUND IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HEPATIC HYDATID CYST

Abstract

Objectives: To study the accuracy of ultrasound in the diagnosis of hepatic hydatid cyst.
Material and Methods: A prospective study carried out in Radiology and Surgical Units of Hayatabad Medical
Complex, Peshawar from July 2002 to January 2006. All the patients were scanned for hepatic hydatid cyst and
classified on the basis of characteristic ultrasound features. Indirect haemagglutination test was performed in all
cases and biopsy taken from the cases in whom surgery was performed.
Results: Total of 30 patients were included in the study. Age range was 5-75 yrs with a mean age of 40 years. The
sensitivity of ultrasound in the diagnosis of hydatid cyst was 96% and specificity 80%. The number of ultrasound
positive cases were 25 (83.3%). Histologically confirmed positive cases were 24 with positive accuracy of 96%, and
the ultrasound negative cases were 5 with a negative accuracy of 80%. Majority of the patients presented with type II
cyst 16 (53.3%).
Conclusion: Ultrasound can diagnose hepatic hydatid cyst with high accuracy.