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Echinococcus - Symptom

Alternative Names

Hydatidosis; Hydatid disease, Hydatid cyst disease

Symptoms:

A liver cyst may produce no symptoms for 10 - 20 years until it is large enough to be felt by physical examination.

Symptoms include:

Pain in the upper right part of the abdomen
Bloody sputum
Chest pain
Cough
Fever
Severe skin itching

Signs and tests:

A physical examination may show signs of:

Abdominal pain
Problems with the skin and other organs
Shock

The following tests may be done to find the cysts:

Abdominal CT scan or ultrasound
Abdominal X-ray
Blood test
Chest x-ray
Liver function tests
Thoracic CT scan or ultrasound

Most often, echinococcosis is found accidentally when an imaging test is done for another reason.

Liver echinococcus - CT scan

Antibodies

Reviewed last on: 8/1/2008
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Craig PS, McManus DP, Lightowlers MW, Chabalgoity JA, Garcia HH, Gavidia CM, et al. Prevention and control of cystic echinococcosis. Lancet Infect Dis. 2007;7:385-394.

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