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Review
. 2020 Apr 2:13:87-97.
doi: 10.2147/CEG.S243344. eCollection 2020.

Gallbladder Hydatid Cyst: A Review on Clinical Features, Investigations and Current Management

Vipul D Yagnik  1 , Sushil Dawka  2 , Nitin Patel  3
Affiliations
Review

Gallbladder Hydatid Cyst: A Review on Clinical Features, Investigations and Current Management

Vipul D Yagnik et al. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. .

Abstract

Background: Gallbladder hydatid cyst (GBHC) is highly uncommon with an incidence of 0.3-0.4% of all atypically located hydatid cysts. Our personal experience of one case of primary GBHC (PGBHC) managed laparoscopically motivated this systematic review. This study aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics, types [whether primary GBHC (PGBHC) or secondary GBHC (SGBHC)], clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, imaging studies, operative procedure, hospital stay, follow-up and recurrence.

Methods: A systematic review was performed using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines.

Results: Twenty studies, including 22 cases plus one more case managed by us, were included in the review. For PGBHC, the mean age was 48.61 years while for SGBHC it was 47.9 years. PGBHC was more common in females (69.23%) while SGBHC was more common in males (55.55%). Overall, GBHC was more common in females (56.52%). The most common presentation overall was abdominal pain (100%) followed by nausea/vomiting (43.47%). The other common symptoms were nausea/vomiting (61.53%) and Murphy's sign (38.46%) in PGBHC, but jaundice (50%) and fever (30%) in SGBHC. In PGBHC, 50% patients had normal liver function while this was deranged in 66.66% patients with SGBHC. Serology was positive in 50% of PGBHC and 100% in SGBHC. Ultrasonography was positive in 50%, while CT-scan showed 70%. CT-scan was better at detection of SGBHC (100%). The most common operation was open cholecystectomy (78.26%) either isolated or combined. Isolated open cholecystectomy was commonly done in PGBHC (69.23%). Overall, only 56.52% of patients received albendazole, but no recurrence was reported. The average hospital stay was 7.25 days and follow-up ranged from 1 month to 10 years.

Conclusion: GBHC mostly affects females with abdominal pain being the most common symptom. Ultrasonography is expedient though CT-scan is more sensitive. Albendazole monotherapy has questionable value. Open cholecystectomy is the most common operation. However, laparoscopy is safe in experienced hands.

Keywords: cyst; gallbladder; hydatid; primary; secondary.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) 2009 flow diagram: gallbladder hydatid cyst: literature search.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Computed tomography (CT) scan showing well-defined cystic lesion with internal septations and septal and peripheral calcification in segments IVa/IVb of the liver.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Inflamed deformed gallbladder after resection.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Opened gallbladder specimen with daughter hydatid cyst.
None
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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