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Clinical Appearance of Hydatid Cyst in Four Pediatric Surgical Centers of Tehran

Introduction & According to the high incidence of hydatid cyst in Iran and less information about this disease and patients in children, this study was performed to evaluate the patient's characteristics, and the outcome of treatment in four children's surgical centers in Tehran (Mofid, Bahrami, Taleghani and Amirkabir Hospitals) from 1987 to 2007. In a descriptive retrospective study, data were collected from the medical records of the patients in the archives of mentioned surgical centers, and using the international classification disease (ICD10). The medical records of children with the ages of 1 to 14 years old whom had definite hydatid cyst disease in different organs were included, and analysis of variables such as gender, age, symptoms, cyst localization, diagnostic tools, operative techniques, morbidity, mortality, recurrence, hospital stay and the outcome of treatment. The patients consisted of 61(53%) boys and 55(47%) girls, with the ages ranged from 2 to 14 years old. The mean age was 10.8±5.6 years old. The incidence rate was increased by age. 157 cysts were found in116 patients, 87(55.42%) cases in lung and 61 (38.86%) cases in liver. The most common symptom in lung was cough and in liver was abdominal mass. 114 patients underwent surgical intervention, but two patients refused surgery. Recurrence accurred in 7 cases (6.14%), mortality in 2 (1.72%). The most common complication was wound infection in 5 cases, and the mean length of hospitalization was 9 days. In 98% of our patients the type of parasit was echinoccocus granulosus. In children the incidence of hydatid cyst was increased by age, and the most involved organ was lung. We suggest more investigation for getting more information about different situations of this disease in children.