1986 Volume 28 Issue 6 Pages 1295-1303_1
This paper describes 2 cases of multilocular liver echinococcosis that occurred in brothers residing in Rebun Island. It developed with a chief complaint of epigastric distension at 35 years of age in the elder brother and with a chief complaint of epigastric pain at 52 years of age in the younger brother. On initial examination, a very hard, irregularly contoured swelling of the liver was palpable in the upper abdomen in both of them but the systemic condition was favorable. Hematological examination revealed almost no abnormality. However, im-munoserological test for echinococcosis was positive in both of them. Laparoscopy resulted in similar findings demonstrating a greyish-white, solid mass typical of multilocular liver echinococcosis expanding from the right quadrate lobe to the entire left lobe. Biopsy of the tissue confirmed the cyst enclosed with a peculiar chitin membrane. Liver scintigraphy, ultrasonography, CT and angiography also showed characteristic findings. Although the ages of the onset differed, the clinical manifestations and pathologi-cal characteristics resembled considerably. The elder brother retained almost the normal liver function until 8 years after the onset but eventually died of hepatic failure. The younger brother was relieved of epigastric pain and returned to the occupation of fishery. However, regular follow-up is still continued.
