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Hydatid Tumors of the Liver.These worms remain in this embryonic condition an indefinite time ; sometimes they retain their vitality, at other times they die. In the latter case the sac usually collapses to some extent. These sacs - the so-called hydatid cysts or tumors-may occur in various organs of the body, but are found with especial frequency in the liver. They may exist in different parts of this organ, either near the surface or deeply placed in its tissues ; the location is a matter of considerable influence in enabling us to detect their existence. Symptoms.-These cysts may exist for a considerable time without causing any appreciable symptoms ; in fact, so long as the tumors remain small and do not encroach upon neighboring organs, there is no interference with the bodily functions which can attract attention to these cysts. In fact a positive diagnosis is possible only when the cyst has attained such size as to become perceptible through the abdominal wall. Previous to this time there may be certain indefinite symptoms which do not enable one to locate or recognize the source of the difficulty ; thus pressure upon various organs in the abdomen may cause pain, vomiting, constipation and various other symptoms. If one or more of these cysts be located near the surface, they usually attract atteution sooner or later by causing a prominence at or below the margin of the ribs on the right side. There are, it is true, several other tumors which may appear in this location ; and it would be out of our province to dis cuss the various means for distinguishing this variety from the others. In some cases it becomes possible to detect a distinct sense of fluctuation upon tapping the abdominal wall over the liver. If it be impossible to determine otherwise the exact nature of the tumor, decision can be attained by inserting a fine needle into the cyst and withdrawing some of the contents. If it be a hydatid tumor, there will be found in the fluid some of the hooklets char acteristic of the worm. A hydatid cyst of the liver is serious only because of its size and of the danger which may result if it burst. For it sometimes happens that the contents of the cyst will in consequence of some excessive bodily exertion, or from other cause, be discharged from the sac into some neighboring organ. The danger consequent upon this rupture of the sac depends upon the course of its contents. If these escape into the stomach or intestine, they may be expelled by vomiting or at stool, and recovery may occur. If, however, the contents of the sac escape into the abdominal cavity, or into the chest, or into some large blood vessel, death may usually be ex pected in a short time. Such an accident may happen suddenly in consequence of a blow or a fall ; and instances are known in which death has resulted from this cause in cases where there had been no suspicion during life of the existence of a hydatid cyst. Treatment. - Comparatively few hydatid cysts of the liver are recognized for treatment until they acquire very large size ; at this period they usually require surgical treatment, either by tap- ping, or by the injection of iodine or similar substances into them. No remedies are known which have any decided influence, either in arresting the growth of the cyst, or in destroying the contained parasite. Instances are recorded in which the entire cyst and its contents have been removed by a surgical operation. In this country the disease is fortunately rare, and is probably never found except in advanced years. At any rate, the growth of these cysts is so slow, requiring many years for their develop ment to a size which can be appreciated, that they are not discov ered until the individual has passed middle life. But first, if you want to come back to this web site again, just add it to your bookmarks or favorites now! Then you'll find it easy! Also, please consider sharing our helpful website with your online friends.
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