Out of 500 peritoneoscopies 23 patients with echinococcus were found. Correct diagnosis
was established by clinico-, radiologico- biological means in 10, by peritoneoscopy
in 20, in 3 patients by laparotomy. False diagnosis of hydatidosis was made in 2 patients
with nephrogenic cysts which caused some displacement of the posterior surface of
the liver. Thickening of the wall of the cyst and irregular vascularization may render
the diagnosis more difficult, the use of a probe may be helpful in differentiating
metastases. Adhesions near the cysts were found in about 50 per cent of the patients,
which in 3 subjects impeded visualization. Anaphylactic reactions may occur after
puncture of a cystic lesion.
Hydatidosis - echinococcosis - peritoneoscopy - liver cysts
