Hydatid cysts of the liver, commonly known as “dog cysts,” are transmitted from animals to humans and are a serious disease. They are a type of parasitic disease. Parasites live in the intestines of animals such as wolves, jackals, and dogs. Parasite eggs, excreted in feces, can enter the intestines of livestock through water and grass. Humans can also ingest these eggs orally. The eggs hatch in the intestines and usually (in 80% of cases) settle in the liver, forming cysts.
Liver cysts are not contagious from person to person and are not found in human feces. They are only transmitted to humans through the oral ingestion of contaminated food containing parasite eggs. The disease does not cause direct liver damage, but bacterial growth can lead to jaundice, perforation, rupture triggering allergic reactions, and the spread of cyst contents throughout the abdominal cavity. These factors complicate the fight against the disease.
Symptoms of Liver Cysts
Liver cysts usually do not cause symptoms, and many are benign. Cysts that do not show symptoms are mostly small. However, as the cyst grows, a number of complaints may occur in the abdominal area:
- Abdominal pain (Especially felt in the upper right part of the abdomen)
- Feeling of fullness, bloating (Again in the upper right part)
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Digestive problems
- Blockage of bile fluid and infection
Treatment of Liver Cysts
There is no medication or other non-surgical treatment method for liver cysts. The only treatment is surgery. The cysts in the liver must be removed surgically. The surgical method may vary depending on the size, location, and number of cysts. Laparoscopic surgery is performed in suitable patients.
