Cystic Echinococcosis in the Liver: Nomenclature and Surgical Procedures

Cystic Echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic infection caused by larval form of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. The adult tapeworm inhabit the small intestine of some carnivores (called definitive or final hosts), and the larval phase, or “metacestode” develops in the herbivores (intermediate hosts). The presentation form of the larval phase is the development of cysts, called hydatid cysts. Although all of us know the vital cycle of the parasite and the different aspects of the disease, the designations around the parasite, its evolution and some therapeutic procedures is not uniform. In fact we frequently see the use of inappropriate terms, based on incorrect concepts. It would be useful to use the same nomenclature and it is absolutely necessary that the nomenclature is correct and universally accepted. So, it is pertinent to remember some important points related to the CE and, above all, to clarify some aspects concerning its nomenclature, in order to understand better the therapeutic options, particularly the different surgical approaches.