Treatment of Hepatic Hydatid Cyst in a 7-Year-Old Boy Using a New Type of Radiofrequency Ablation Electrode

Patient: Male, 7 Final Diagnosis: Echinococcosis Symptoms: Cough • fever Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Medical treatment and RFA of liver cyst Specialty: Pediatrics and Neonatology OBJECTIVE: Unusual setting of medical care BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency ablation has been established as a treatment method for malignancies and some particular cystic lesions, especially in adults. Experience with radiofrequency ablation in the treatment of hydatid cysts, especially in children, is limited. CASE REPORT: Although echinococcosis is rare, especially in children, we describe a 7-year-old boy with lung and liver cystic echinococcosis. Diagnosis was established by clinical history and imaging findings and confirmed by positive antiechinococcal antibodies. After 6 months of chemotherapy with albendazole, the liver lesion remained and a radiofrequency ablation under computed tomography guidance was obtained. The procedure was performed with a new type of ablation electrode in order to minimize handling and procedure duration and to achieve the best clinical result in only 1 session. This type of electrode provides the ability to simultaneously drain and ablate the cyst and the ability to monitor the desired ablation temperature in real time. CONCLUSIONS: Our patient is the first pediatric case with hepatic hydatid cyst treated successfully with the use of a new type of radiofrequency ablation electrode under computed tomography guidance.