Management of liver hydatid cyst with cystobiliary communication and acute cholangitis: a 27-year experience.

PURPOSE: The rupture of the hydatid cyst into the bile ducts is a common and serious complication. The rupture can be latent or revealed after a complication such as acute cholangitis. The objective of this study was to discuss the clinical features, radiographic findings, and surgical treatment of this rare complication. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients operated for acute cholangitis caused by hydatid cyst between January 1990 and May 2016 was conducted. RESULTS: Our study included 55 cases of acute cholangitis caused by ruptured hydatid cyst: 35 were men and 20 were women. Five patients had medical history of hydatid cyst. On imaging, all patients had a dilated bile duct. In 51 cases, there was a single hydatid cyst. Hydatid cysts with fistula were located in the right lobe of the liver in 49 cases and in the left lobe in 6 cases. Seven patients underwent an emergency surgery after admission, while others were operated after 3-8 days. A conservative procedure associated with drainage was applied in 49 cases. Endoscopic treatment was performed in four cases which failed in two cases. Twenty-eight cases developed postoperative complications, among which the most common complication was biliary fistula (n - 17). There were eight cases of postoperative deaths (14.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Liver hydatid cyst with cystobiliary communication and superadded acute cholangitis is a serious clinical problem requiring the early diagnosis and surgery in the absence of endoscopic therapy.