Surgical Treatment of Childhood Pulmonary Hydatidosis: An Analysis of 25 Cases

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst disease is caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus and it is an important health problem in the childhood period. In the present study, we aimed to report our experience in 25 surgically managed pediatric hydatid cyst cases under the light of the relevant literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 25 patients below 15 years of age who were treated for pulmonary hydatid cyst at our clinic between 2005 and 2016. The patients were analyzed for age, sex, signs and symptoms, diagnostic methods, cyst localization, diameter, number, treatment modalities, mortality, morbidity, and recurrences. RESULTS: Of the 25 patients included in this clinical study, 16 were male and their mean age was 10.5 (range 5–15) years. The most common presenting symptom was paroxysmal cough which affected 18 patients. The cysts were located in lungs in 23 patients and lungs and liver in 2 patients. Nineteen pulmonary cysts were solitary, and 21 (66%) were in the lower lobe. Thirteen (52%) patients had perforated cysts. Fourteen (56%) patients were operated with cystotomy and capitonnage, 9 (36%) with cystotomy, and 2 (8%) with enucleation. No case of recurrence was observed during an average 12 (range 8–18) months of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the primary treatment of pediatric pulmonary hydatid cyst disease. Cystotomy and capitonnage is the most commonly used parenchyma sparing technique.