LAUSR

Hydatidosis remains a major health problem in our country. In infants, pulmonary localization is more frequent while in adults the liver is the most affected site. It has many clinical and radiological features that may delay the diagnosis. The aim of our study is to delineate some of the important characteristics of this affection in the pediatric population and to remind the atypical localization. We lead a retrospective study over 29 years in the pediatric department of patients under the age of 18 years old. 23 patients were enrolled. We counted 18 males and 5 females with an average age of 9 years old. The rural environment was found in 21 patients having close contact with dogs. Clinically, 12 patients presented respiratory symptoms varying from simple dyspnoea and cough to hemoptysis and infectious signs. 8 patients reported only chest pain with no other signs. The diagnosis was accidentally in 3 cases. The pulmonary localization was found in 20 cases associated to hepatic hydatidosis in 8 cases. 2 patients had cerebral localization. The kidney and the pericardium were affected in 1 case each. The average size of the cysts was 7cm. Hydatic serology was positive in 73%. Computed tomography with contrast agent injection was performed in all the patients and allowed the diagnosis showing a simple cystic formation in 20 patients and multilocular cyst in 3 patients. It allowed also to look for second localization. Treatment was based on the surgery in 95% of cases with a medical treatment based on Albendazol in 78% for a period between 3 months and 2 years. A reoccurrence was noted in 1 case.