It has long been revealed that liver echinococcosis is a parasitic disease. It is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus, which enter the human body. This disease is quite rare in humans.
Basically, this disease affects those people who very often come in contact with animals. The disease is classified by the number and location of Laurocysts.
There are three stages of the disease:
1. Asymptomatic. Unexpressed intoxication occurs. It lasts about one year.
2. Stage mild manifestations of the disease. During this period, the patient develops pain in the right hypochondrium. One of the main symptoms is hepatomegaly. At this stage of the development of the disease, the person's condition worsens significantly.
3. The stage of pronounced manifestation. During this period, a tumor may appear in the right hypochondrium, a fever may rise, sometimes the patient complains of chills and pains throughout the body.
4. Stage of complication.
Echinococcal liver cyst is detected through additional research methods. If we consider its size and location, then we can say that cysts in most cases are single, sometimes multiple. They can be located both in the right half of the liver, and in the left. If a large area is affected, then the cysts are located so that they resemble a honeycomb. Sometimes their size is huge, they can be located not only on the liver, but also hang from its surface. Also, these formations can be located throughout the abdominal cavity. Cysts place about ten liters of fluid in themselves. When they increase, the walls become not so thick, and the shell is softer. Often this leads to a break. Cysts can also be located in the bile ducts. When bile appears in the bladder, the worm may die.
Specialists establish the diagnosis of echinococcosis based on complaints from a patient who often comes into contact with animals. An accurate result is obtained from the results of laboratory tests. According to examinations, you can find out the blood circulation of the affected areas, present the topography of nodes and cysts. This information will be useful in order to determine the method of treatment of the disease.
The human liver, the treatment of diseases of which is not easy, must be protected. Indeed, many diseases can be eliminated only through surgery. Echinococcosis of the liver is one such case. The disease can only be cured with surgery. Surgery must be performed immediately after diagnosis. Procrastination can lead to great suppuration, rupture of neighboring organs. Surgery is contraindicated for those patients who have cardiovascular failure. In such patients, liver echinococcosis is treated in other ways.
Preoperative procedures are important. A few days you need to prescribe a high-calorie diet. Move less, ideally observe bed rest. Every day, administer ascorbic acid, glucose and vitamins B1 and B6. After the operation, it is necessary to carefully monitor the patient's condition. After some time, bile flow may occur. In this case, it is necessary to inject bile directly into the stomach. After the operation, it is quite possible to increase the temperature, the appearance of pain and chills. Suppuration may also occur. One of the reasons that requires immediate surgery is a cyst breakthrough. Surgery can take place in two or three stages at intervals of two weeks. It depends on many factors.
Mostly operations are successful. Echinococcosis of the liver is not such a terrible disease as it might seem, although everything is relative. One of the important elements of success is the stage of development of the disease, the method of intervention is also important. Operations that end in death are about 8 percent. This happens with severe complications. If operations take place in the early stages, a sad outcome is ruled out.