BACKGROUND: We performed an analysis of giant hydatid cysts (GCHs) detected in the adult population by comparison with the features of other simple hydatid cysts (CHs) in the light of the relevant literature. METHODS: The records of 74 adult patients who were operated on in our clinic for pulmonary CHs between 2001 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. Cysts that were 10 cm or larger in diameter on any plane were considered GCHs. The cysts were classified into 2 groups as GCHs (group A) and other (group B). The groups were then compared for age, sex, symptom, cyst location, preoperative complications, surgical procedure performed, operative morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Of 74 patients, 10 (13.5%) were in group A and 64 were in group B. No differences were detected between the clinical presentation, gender distribution, surgical procedure performed, and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates of GCHs and other cysts in adults. In both groups, there were no significant differences between the rates of involvement of 2 lungs (P = .527). However, both groups had lower lobe involvement, more markedly in group A (81.8% and 45.5% respectively; P = .023). Two patients in group A (20%) and 18 patients in group B (28.1%) had complicated cysts. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency of GCH to involve the lower lobe of the lung compared to smaller cysts suggests underlying mechanisms other than lung elasticity in the late onset of the symptoms parallel to cyst growth.
BACKGROUND: We performed an analysis of giant hydatid cysts (GCHs) detected in the adult population by comparison with the features of other simple hydatid cysts (CHs) in the light of the relevant literature. METHODS: The records of 74 adult patients who were operated on in our clinic for pulmonary CHs between 2001 and 2005 were retrospectively evaluated. Cysts that were 10 cm or larger in diameter on any plane were considered GCHs. The cysts were classified into 2 groups as GCHs (group A) and other (group B). The groups were then compared for age, sex, symptom, cyst location, preoperative complications, surgical procedure performed, operative morbidity, and mortality. RESULTS: Of 74 patients, 10 (13.5%) were in group A and 64 were in group B. No differences were detected between the clinical presentation, gender distribution, surgical procedure performed, and postoperative morbidity and mortality rates of GCHs and other cysts in adults. In both groups, there were no significant differences between the rates of involvement of 2 lungs (P = .527). However, both groups had lower lobe involvement, more markedly in group A (81.8% and 45.5% respectively; P = .023). Two patients in group A (20%) and 18 patients in group B (28.1%) had complicated cysts. CONCLUSIONS: The tendency of GCH to involve the lower lobe of the lung compared to smaller cysts suggests underlying mechanisms other than lung elasticity in the late onset of the symptoms parallel to cyst growth.