Cystic hydatid disease in Southern Sudan

Abstract

Objective: To document the experience with cystic hydatid disease at a teaching hospital in South Sudan. Design: A prospective analysis of clinical data collected from patients admitted and treated for cystic hydatid disease between August 2004 and August 2007. Setting: Juba Teaching Hospital. Patients: One hundred and seventeen patients treated for cystic hydatid disease were evaluated. Results: There were 89 males (76%) and 28 (24%) females in the study group. The age range was 20-60 years with a mean of 40 years. Most of the patients (98%) came from the Eastern bank of River Nile. The diagnosis was mainly clinical and the most common presentation was a painless abdominal mass. The mean duration of symptoms was two years. Cysts were located in the liver, lungs and other organs in 70%, 8% and 22% of cases respectively. Operative management was conservative in 93% of patients. There were no peri-operative complications. Two patients had recurrent disease during follow-up. Conclusion: Cystic hydatid disease is common in South Sudan. The cyst localization is diverse. Conservative surgery was effective with both low morbidity and recurrence of the disease. Prevention of the disease through public education and incorporation of hydatid control in school curricula may reduce the burden.