Abstract
AIM: Hydatid cystic disease is an endemic parasitic disease that is common in the world. We aimed to review the demographic, clinical and laboratory findings, and treatments and outcomes of children with hydatid cyst disease, and to determine the factors affecting treatment response in two pediatric pulmonology centers in the central region of Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical records of patients aged below 18 years who were followed up between January 2006 and December 2016 because of hydatid cyst disease were reviewed retrospectively. The patients' ages at the time of diagnosis, sexes, living areas (rural /urban), dog contact history, presence of hydatid cyst in other family members, symptoms, organs involved, dimensions of cysts, laboratory results, treatments and post treatment responses, follow-up, and outcomes were noted. RESULTS: In a period of 10 years, 50 pediatric patients were followed up with a diagnosis of hydatid cyst. The mean age was 9.3±0.5 years and 33 (66%) of the patients were male. Fifteen patients were living in a rural area and 35 were living in an urban area. Fifteen patients had a history of contact with a dog and 10% had a positive family history. Thirty-six patients had lung involvement, 25 had liver involvement, 14 (28%) had both lung and liver involvement, and six patients had organ involvement other than lung and liver. The indirect hemagglutination test for hydatid cyst was positive in 24 of 40 patients and Echinococcus granulosus-specific IgE positivity was detected in 8 of 17 patients. Surgery was performed in 31 patients with lung involvement and PAIR was performed in 13 patients who had liver involvement. Cyst excision was performed in two patients who had isolated spinal involvement. All patients were treated with albendazole, and additional praziquantel treatment was given to seven patients. Relapse occurred in seven patients in this period. The relapse frequency was higher in patients who had organ involvement other than in the lung and liver (p<0.05), and these patients' treatment durations were longer compared with the others (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Hydatid cysts can involve different organs in children. Patients with organ involvement other than the lung and liver should be followed up carefully in terms of recurrence.