In nature, there are a huge number of parasites that can penetrate the human body. All of them have a harmful effect on the digestion process. Most often, worms parasitize in the intestines, liver, biliary tract and lungs. Each of these pests causes specific diseases that differ in clinical presentation.
Dangerous pathologies requiring surgical treatment are parasitic liver cysts. They are tumor-like formations localized inside the organ or on its surface. The cyst has the following components: a shell (capsule) and a cavity filled with fluid, inside which the tapeworm is located. Unfortunately, the only way to remove the parasite from the tissue of an organ is through surgical intervention. To identify this pathology, a thorough diagnosis is required.
Causes of liver cysts
One of the surgical diseases of the digestive tract is a parasitic liver cyst. The reasons for the development of this pathology lie in the penetration of tapeworm eggs into the body. The risk group for infection includes people involved in agriculture. Among them:
- Shepherds and shepherds.
- Zoo keepers and veterinarians.
- Butchers.
- Hunters and fishermen.
Eggs of parasites are present not only in infected meat, but also on the fur of animals. Therefore, worms can enter the human body when eating unwashed vegetables and fruits, as well as unboiled water. The original habitat of worms is the intestines. The eggs of the worms quickly spread throughout the body with the bloodstream and enter the liver. There, the oncosphere is transformed into a laurocyst, that is, a cyst.
The formation of a cavity with a tapeworm takes about 5 months. During this time, the parasite has time to grow, and the cyst shell is fully formed. It becomes quite dense due to the formation of fibrous tissue. The inner wall of the shell is represented by the reproductive organ of the worm. Therefore, the parasite not only grows inside the cyst, but also multiplies. Such formations quickly increase in size and push apart the liver tissue.
Varieties of parasitic cysts
Depending on the type of tapeworm, various parasitic liver cysts are isolated. Inside the shell there may be worms such as alveococcus, echinococcus and opisthorch. Less commonly, cysts form as a result of penetration into the liver of ascaris. The most common parasitic disease is echinococcosis. Carriers of larvae of thisworms are domestic animals (dogs, cats) and cattle. Echinococcus eggs penetrate the gastrointestinal tract, and from there into the hepatic capillaries. Since the parasite is a foreign body, a fibrous capsule forms around it. However, this does not prevent echinococcus from multiplying, but on the contrary, it is considered a favorable environment for its life. Such parasitic cysts of the liver can reach several tens of centimeters. Echinococcosis is not characterized by multiple lesions of the organ. Usually the cyst is localized in one place. Child formations can be formed inside the main shell.
Cysts containing alveococci develop in a similar way. This pathogen is found in animals living in the taiga. The carriers of this type of tapeworm are foxes, dogs, arctic foxes and wolves. Unlike echinococcal cysts, the lesion often becomes multiple. Often the primary focus occurs in the right lobe of the liver. Alveococcal cysts have several chambers, inside each of them there is a parasite. Therefore, formations are growing rapidly.
Rarely, cysts form with opisthorchiasis. This disease is quite dangerous, as the pathogen affects the bile ducts of the liver. As a result, the risk of developing primary cholangiocellular carcinoma is significantly increased. Roundworm often affects the intestines, but can also penetrate the liver. In this case, the formation of cysts is not excluded.
Symptoms of Parasitic Liver Diseases
At the initial stage of pathology, recognize a cystalmost impossible. Small formations in the liver are often an accidental finding for doctors. As the parasite grows, symptoms of the disease appear. This is due not only to the fact that the worms emit harmful substances in the process of life, but also to damage to the tissues of the organ.
How does a parasitic liver cyst manifest itself? Symptoms of pathology:
- Discomfort in the right hypochondrium. Sometimes the pain radiates to the chest.
- Weight loss. Almost all helminthic invasions are accompanied by weight loss.
- Itchy skin, rashes. The sudden onset of allergic reactions often indicates the presence of parasites in the body.
- Fatigue and malaise.
Periodically, with liver echinococcosis, there is a slight increase in body temperature. In some cases, there is a change in stool, diarrhea alternates with constipation.
Parasitic liver cyst: diagnosis of the disease
The main diagnostic measure to confirm the presence of a cyst is ultrasound of the hepatoduodenal zone. Thanks to this study, it is possible to identify a cavity formation, as well as to establish its density and size. Large parasitic cysts of the liver are found with ordinary palpation of the abdomen. When pressing on the area of the right hypochondrium, a dense protrusion is noted. Palpation of large cysts is accompanied by pain. Some patients notice intermittent "trembling" in the abdomen. It occurs as a result of the collision of smallechinococcal cysts located in one shell.
Retrograde cholangiopancreatography is performed to detect biliary tract disorders. Due to the proximity of the organs, liver cysts often compress the ducts, leading to jaundice. In severe cases, computed tomography of the abdominal cavity is prescribed. This study provides information on the exact location of parasitic cysts and their relationship to vessels and other organs.
Laboratory diagnostic methods
An elevated eosinophil level is often noted during a complete blood count. These cells indicate the presence of helminthic invasion. An increase in ESR may also be observed, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body. The main methods of laboratory diagnostics are serological tests. ELISA and PCR allow you to set the titer of antibodies produced to a specific pathogen. Thanks to these research methods, you can find out which tapeworm caused the organ damage.
Parasitic liver cyst: complications of pathology
Liver cysts are dangerous diseases, because if left untreated, they lead to serious consequences. The complications of the disease include: suppuration of the cavity formation, rupture of the capsule, development of obstructive jaundice and ascites. The inflammatory process in the cyst is accompanied by high fever and sharp pains in the right hypochondrium. large size formationscompress the vessels of the liver and bile ducts. As a result, ascites and other signs of increased pressure in the portal vein develop. This is accompanied by varicose veins of the esophagus and the development of bleeding. The rupture of the cyst leads to the dissemination of parasites throughout the body. Thus, anaphylactic shock or sepsis develops.
Treatment of parasitic cysts
Conservative therapy will help if there is an uncomplicated parasitic liver cyst. Treatment is aimed at eliminating pathogens. For this purpose, the drugs "Albendazole" and "Nemozol" are prescribed. Antiparasitic drugs must be taken within 4 weeks. Then a break of 14 days is taken, and the course of treatment is repeated. Due to the fact that these drugs have severe side effects, doctors recommend elective surgery.
Surgical treatment of pathology
Surgical treatment is mandatory in the presence of large cysts, as there is a threat of their rupture. It consists in the complete emptying of the cyst and suturing of the liver tissue. Laparoscopic interventions are performed only if there is no risk of capsule rupture and dissemination of parasites. If there are complications, emergency open surgery is indicated.
Prevention of parasitic cysts
To avoid helminthic invasions, it is necessary to observe preventive measures. Causes and treatment of parasitic liver cysts are closely related. Therefore, in order not to resort to the use of drugs for worms, food should be carefully processed. Meat and fishmust be cooked until fully cooked. Vegetable products should be washed thoroughly. Preventive care includes preventive check-ups. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is recommended to be done at least once a year.
