OBJECTIVE

To study clinical manifestations and difficulties in diagnosis of liver echinococcosis in a non-endemic region and to assess the long-term results of surgical treatment and quality of life.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 36 residents of a non-endemic region with liver echinococcosis operated on in the Perm Regional Clinical Hospital over the past 15 years. IgG antibodies to echinococcal antigens were determined using enzyme immunoassay. Topical diagnosis was performed using ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography. We analyzed various difficulties of preoperative diagnosis. Long-term postoperative outcomes and quality of life were studied using the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

In the non-endemic Perm Region, 36% of patients with liver echinococcosis had complicated forms of disease. Sensitivity of detection of antibodies was 77%, ultrasound — 86.1%, CT — 91.7. Echinococcectomy was performed in 13.9% of cases, pericystecomy — 41.7%, liver resection — 30.6%, minimally invasive interventions — in 13.9% of patients. Long-term recurrence of liver echinococcosis (11.1%) developed after laparoscopic echinococcectomy (n=2) and open surgery for multiple liver echinococcosis (n=2). Median score of physical health in long-term period was slightly higher than mental health (67.51 and 62.75 points, respectively). Physical activity had a weak negative correlation with age (p=0.001, r= –0.251). Concomitant diseases significantly impaired vital activity (p=0.001, r= –0.332), role and emotional functioning (p=0.002, r= –0.494; p=0.003, r= –0.415).

CONCLUSION

In a non-endemic region, final diagnosis was established only during therapeutic measures in 8.33% of cases. Surgical treatment ensured favorable quality of life in long-term period.