[T2]

Echinococcosis, also called hydatid disease, hydatidosis, or echinococcal disease, is a parasitic disease of tapeworms of the Echinococcus type. People get two main types of disease, cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis. There are two less common forms polycystic echinococcosis and unicystic echinococcosis. The disease often starts without symptoms and this may last for a year. The symptoms and signs that occur depend on the cyst's location and size. Alveolar disease usually begins in the liver but can spread to other parts of the body such as the lungs or brain. When the liver is affected the person may have abdominal pain, weight loss, and turn yellow. Lung disease may cause pain in the chest, shortness of breath and coughing.

The disease is spread when food or water that contains the eggs of the parasite is eaten or by close contact with an infected animal.The eggs are released in the stool of meat eating animals that are infected by the parasite.Commonly infected animals include: dogs, foxes and wolves. For these animals to become infected they must eat the organs of an animal that contains the cysts such as sheep or rodents. The type of disease which occurs in people depends on the type of Echinococcus causing the infection. Diagnosis is usually by ultrasound though computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used. Blood tests looking for antibodies against the parasite may be helpful as may biopsy.

Prevention of cystic disease is by treating dogs that may carry the disease and vaccination of sheep. Treatment is often difficult. The cystic disease may be drained through the skin followed by medication.Sometimes this type of disease is just watched. The alveolar type often needs surgery followed by medications.The medication used is albendazole which may be needed for years.The alveolar disease may result in death.

The disease occurs in most areas of the world and currently affects about one million people. In some areas of South America, Africa, and Asia up to 10% of the certain populations are affected.In 2010, it caused about 1200 deaths down from 2000 in 1990.The economic cost of the disease is estimated to be around 3 billion USD a year. It can affect other animals such as pigs, cows and horses.

[MesaGrande]

Right now I'm thinking about the actual size of the liver and the amount of...that stuff coming out of there and wondering: HOW THE FUCK did all of this fit in there without bursting the liver

[mintycbo]

Splendid.

[30564U]

Wow...is that how breast implants are made?

[choochie]

I think they're cleaning out his lung or chest cavity. OMG, gross award right here.

[Lambiesinclair]

wow

[Oswald2001]

I'm amazed that someone could still be alive in that circumstance.

[vagabond]

What organ was all that pouring out of? Egads!

[LadyCPlum]

I've seen a few patients with this disease on that show The Monsters Inside Me.

[LadyCPlum]

"OK everyone, the Matzo Ball Soup is ready!"