Hydatid Cyst : Liver

The photograph shows parts of collapsed wall of the larger cyst (lower right and upper left) and several daughter cysts ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm. The treatment of echinococcosis is often complicated and expensive, sometimes requiring extensive surgery and/or prolonged drug therapy. During surgery, extreme caution must be exercised. If the cyst ruptures, it may cause spillage of highly immunogenic cyst fluid which may precipitate anaphylactic shock. In addition, the brood capsules can "metastasize" forming additional hydatid cysts.