Editorial
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Gastrointest Surg. Sep 27, 2024; 16(9): 2748-2754
Published online Sep 27, 2024. doi: 10.4240/wjgs.v16.i9.2748
Characteristics of the imaging diagnosis of alveolar echinococcosis
Sonay Aydin, Baris Irgul, Kemal Bugra Memis, Volkan Kızılgoz, Mecit Kantarci
Sonay Aydin, Baris Irgul, Kemal Bugra Memis, Volkan Kızılgoz, Department of Radiology, Erzincan Binali Yıldırım University, Faculty of Medicine, Erzincan 24100, Türkiye
Mecit Kantarci, Department of Radiology, Erzurum Ataturk University, Erzurum 25000, Türkiye
Author contributions: Kantarci M and Irgul B designed the overall concept and outline of the manuscript; Kizilgoz V contributed to the discussion and design of the manuscript; Aydin S, Irgul B, Kizilgoz V, Kantarci M and Memis KB contributed to the writing, and editing the manuscript, illustrations, and review of literature. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Baris Irgul, MD, Research Assistant, Department of Radiology, Erzincan Binali Yildirim University, Faculty of Medicine, No. 32 Haci Ali Akin Street, Erzincan 24100, Türkiye. barisirgul@gmail.com
Received: January 28, 2024
Revised: June 6, 2024
Accepted: June 24, 2024
Published online: September 27, 2024
Processing time: 233 Days and 14.8 Hours
Abstract

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) primarily manifests in the liver and exhibits characteristics resembling those of slow-growing malignant tumours. Untreated Echinococcus multilocularis infection can be lethal. By infiltrating the vascular systems, biliary tracts, and the hilum of the liver, it might lead to various problems. Due to its ability to infiltrate neighbouring tissues or metastasize to distant organs, AE can often be mistaken for malignancies. We present a concise overview of the epidemiological and pathophysiological characteristics of AE, as well as the clinical manifestations of the disease. This article primarily examines the imaging characteristics of AE using various imaging techniques such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and virtual non-enhanced dual-energy CT. We additionally examined the contribution of radiography in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of the condition.

Keywords: Alveolar echinococcosis; Echinococcus multilocularis; Virtual non-enhanced dual-energy computed tomography; Percutaneous cyst drainage; Cyst infection; Interventional radiology

Core Tip: Ultrasound can be utilized as a screening and first imaging technique in alveolar echinococcosis (AE). It is also capable of offering direction for interventional procedures. For the purpose of planning and supervising procedures as well as diagnosing patients with AE, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are essential. Particular importance is given to interventional methods while diagnosing and treating complicated patients. Radiology is essential in helping doctors make early diagnoses and suitable treatment decisions.