Surgery
The complications of hydatid cyst surgery are various and depend on several factors including the location, size, and multiplicity of the cysts, as well as the presence of contamination.
- Pneumocephalus, subdural effusion, subdural hematoma, or hemorrhage: These are well-known complications of cranial operations, especially for brain tumors and other space-occupying lesions. Just as for these other entities, they can occur after surgical treatment of a hydatid cyst (11, 47, 48).
- Hydrocephalus, cysts: Hydrocephalus and/or large CSF-filled cysts can develop after surgical removal of a hydatid cyst. The shunting procedure is a technique used when postoperative CT/MRI shows ventricular dilation, subdural effusion, and/or porencephalic cyst (20, 26, 29).
- Seizures: Seizures can be problematic after treatment of a hydatid cyst. Long-term antiepileptic therapy is required if the patient has a history of preoperative convulsions (11, 20, 37).
- Anaphylactic shock: The most dangerous complication of hydatid cyst surgery is anaphylactic shock following intraoperative rupture of the cyst. Death may result (11).
Medical
- Albendazole: There may be some risk for hepatotoxicity when albendazole is used (6).