Ultraschall Med 2020; 41(06): 700
DOI: 10.1055/a-1024-2487
Letter to the Editor
Thieme. All rights reserved. (2020) Georg Thieme Verlag KG

Authors’ Response to Letter: “Diagnosis of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound”

Vincent Schwarze
Department of Radiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich (LMU)
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
24 October 2019 (online)

We read the Letter to The Editor entitled “Diagnosis of Hepatic Hydatid Cysts by Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound” relating to our recently published single-center study with appreciation [1]. Echinococcus granulosus, causing cystic echinococcosis (CE), is a neglected zoonosis of global prevalence, with endemic distribution in the Mediterranean countries, China and Russia, parts of Africa, South America, Eastern Europe, leading to relevant socio-economic burden, high morbidity and mortality [2]. According to the Foodborne Disease Burden Epidemiology Reference Group 2007–2015 of the World Health Organization, 19 300 deaths and about 871 000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) are attributed to echinococcosis annually. The resulting costs total US$ 3 billion per year [3]. The diagnostic workup comprises sonography and serological analysis.