Hepatic Hydatid Disease in 21st Century New Zealand: Is there Still a Problem? - Abstract
Background: This investigation reviews the contemporary characteristics of hepatic hydatid disease in New Zealand presenting for treatment.
Methods: A prospectively maintained clinical database containing demographic, patient and treatment data of patients presenting with hepatic hydatid disease between 1998 and 2015 was reviewed.
Results: Twelve patients (six male) were identified with a median age at presentation of 61 yr (range 34-78 yrs). Eight patients were New Zealand European, three Maori and one Indian migrant. Abdominal pain (7 patients) and malaise (3 patients) were the most common presenting symptoms. Hydatid serology was positive in all patients with the diagnosis confirmed by typical appearance on cross -sectional imaging. Ten patients had a past history of hydatid disease, 3 patients presented with biliary fistulae and 4 patients had extensive intra-abdominal disease. All patients were managed with pre and post-operative anthelmintic medication prior to surgery (two lobectomies and 10 treated with scolicidal instillation and cyst excision). There were no in-hospital deaths following treatment and 11 patients remain alive and well off treatment with a median follow up of 67 months (range 12-210 months).
Conclusion: Hepatic hydatid disease is now rare and largely comprises patients with recurrent disease rather than new presentations.