A Shocking Cystory

A39-year-old woman from the south highland of Peru presented with abdominal distention, 10-kg weight gain, and intense stabbing pain in right upper quadrant of the abdomen. On physical examination, she had abdominal dullness and distention. She had a history of a liver cyst diagnosed by ultrasound 14 years ago. Three years ago a second ultrasound showed 3 cysts inside the first one. She did not receive any treatment before this hospitalization. The patient used to raise dogs and livestock (sheep and cattle) in her rural house when she was a child. The current ultrasound showed large cysts in liver and spleen that were confirmed by an abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan that revealed that both cysts contained hundreds of smaller cysts inside. Laboratory results showed a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (immunoglobulin G) for hydatid cyst. Laparotomy was performed, and the liver cyst was removed as well as the entire spleen.
Authors: Cayo Quiñe, Alexandra; Bustamante Voysest, Rossi; Martínez Vargas, Valeria
Source: Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology (Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol)
URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10757/528064