OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of hypertonic saline (20%) and absolute alcohol on the integrity of daughter cysts and the viability of the protoscoleces contained in these cysts. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Turkey. MATERIAL: 80 daughter cysts obtained from two patients with Gharbi type III hydatid cysts of the liver. INTERVENTIONS: The cysts were divided into two groups, in the first of which cysts were placed into hypertonic saline and in the second into absolute alcohol; they were kept there for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Integrity of the cyst wall and viability of the contents were evaluated using a vital staining technique with 0.1% eosin. RESULTS: Neither hypertonic saline nor absolute alcohol solution had any effect on the integrity of the daughter cysts or the viability of the protoscoleces. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage of type III hydatid cysts can lead to high recurrence rates.
OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of hypertonic saline (20%) and absolute alcohol on the integrity of daughter cysts and the viability of the protoscoleces contained in these cysts. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Teaching hospital, Turkey. MATERIAL: 80 daughter cysts obtained from two patients with Gharbi type III hydatid cysts of the liver. INTERVENTIONS: The cysts were divided into two groups, in the first of which cysts were placed into hypertonic saline and in the second into absolute alcohol; they were kept there for 5, 15, 30 or 60 minutes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Integrity of the cyst wall and viability of the contents were evaluated using a vital staining technique with 0.1% eosin. RESULTS: Neither hypertonic saline nor absolute alcohol solution had any effect on the integrity of the daughter cysts or the viability of the protoscoleces. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous drainage of type III hydatid cysts can lead to high recurrence rates.