The cytologic diagnosis of hydatid disease.

Eleven cases of hydatid disease diagnosed by cytologic methods are reported. sputum specimens and aspirated peritoneal material were embedded in paraffin and then processed by conventional procedures. Smears were obtained from pleural and ascitic fluids. Sputum cytology gave 33% positive results. The total rate of positive cytology in all echinococosis cases, including sputum, peritoneal material and pleural fluids, was 40%. Silver methenamine and Best carmine procedures were of special interest for the identification of laminated layer fragments.