Human Echinococcosis in Saudi Arabia

I-iuman echinococcosis is not an uncommon disease in Saudi Arabia and some other Middle East countries dut to the presence of sheep. dogs and humans living in close contact. Although it is supposed to be a benign disease. the onset of complications which are liable to occur makes its morbidity not much inferior to malif,.'llanl disease. From the data colicctcd from the main hospitals in various districts of Saudi Arabia and from their own experience. the authors !lied to evaluate the various epidemiological and nosological aspects of the disease. Its incidcnce. salient clinical features, complications and methods of diagnosis are presented. The effectiveness and safety of some scolicidal materials and the variou~ surgic.al techniques used in dealing with rhe hydatid cyst cavity left behind are discussed.