BACKGROUND: We reviewed, using secondary analysis, the described cases of Polycystic Hydatid Disease (PHD) by Echinococcus vogeli, addressing epidemiological and clinical characteristics, therapeutical evolution and procedures. METHODS: Five electronic banks, annals of scientific events, textbooks, remissive index, non-indexed magazines and specialists were consulted. The 52 variables studied had been categorized for each case of PHD and registered in a standard file. Only the cases with histological and/or parasitological evidence of E. vogeli had been enclosed. RESULTS: One hundred and thirty-one published works had been recouped and a personal communication. The majority presents, only a described case, and between them only 17 (12.9%) had evidence of the etiologic agent. In a total of 44 patients, 52.3% were males, mean age of 45.0 (±16,7) years, and 50% were described in Brazil. The presence of masses and abdominal pain had been registered in 94.7% (18/19) and 92.6% (25/27), respectively, with no statistica difference (p>0.20) in the clinical outcome with the clinical treatment (albendazol) versus the surgical one, but the frequencies of no success had been, respectively, 0% and 28.6%, and deaths of 0% and 21.4%. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of studies on PHD does not include patients with etiologic evidence and consequently is possible that part of the current clinical knowledge suffers significant changes for future inquiries. Nevertheless, the raised data indicate that the best therapeutical option, in the non surgical approach, the use of albendazol.
Echinococcus vogeli; Echinococcosis; Methods; Statistical Analysis; Therapeutics; Latin America
