Published online Mar 27, 2023. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v15.i3.398
Peer-review started: November 24, 2022
First decision: December 10, 2022
Revised: December 18, 2022
Accepted: February 14, 2023
Article in press: February 14, 2023
Published online: March 27, 2023
Processing time: 123 Days and 5.6 Hours
Hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE) is a serious zoonotic infection that affects humans. It may have a tumor-like appearance at times. Percutaneous treatment of HAE patients is extremely relaxing for them. HAE is a significant human zoonotic infection caused by the fox tapeworm Echinococcus Multilocularis larvae. It possesses the characteristics of an invasive tumor-like lesion due to its infiltrative growth pattern and protracted incubation period. The disease is endemic over central Europe, Asia, and North America.
To characterize HAE patients who were treated percutaneously, their outcomes, and the major technical features of percutaneous treatment in HAE.
Patients who were treated with percutaneous cyst drainage and/or percutaneous biliary drainage were included in the study. Uncorrected abnormal coagulation values and solid or non-infected HAE with minor necrotic change were excluded.
Thirty-two patients underwent percutaneous cyst drainage, two patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage, and four patients underwent percutaneous biliary drainage alone. Interventional radiology is utilized to drain echinococcal necrosis and abscesses within/without the liver, as well as diseased and clogged bile ducts.
Percutaneous drainage of cyst contents and/or biliary channels using a minimally invasive technique is a very beneficial. Percutaneous cyst drainage with albendazole therapy improves quality of life in patients who are unable to undergo surgery, even when the mass resolves with long-term treatment.
Core Tip: Interventional radiology is utilized to drain echinococcal necrosis and abscesses within/without the liver either as palliative operations or as a bridge to radical resection. Percutaneous cyst drainage with albendazole therapy improves quality of life in patients who are unable to undergo surgery, even when the mass resolves with long-term treatment.