Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease of humans. In Germany, especially the dog tapeworm (Echinococcus granulosus) and the fox tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) cause an echinococcosis.

The dog or fox tapeworm lives in the intestine of the corresponding animal and excretes countless eggs over the faeces. If a human being comes in contact with the eggs, he can take these over the mouth. The tapeworm larvae then develop cysts in the liver and other organs that cause the disease of echinococcosis.

The onset of echinococcosis usually goes unnoticed and often a radiological finding leads physicians by accident to the right track. Rarely, the bursting of a cyst can cause an allergic reaction in the body, which can sometimes be life-threatening. Also, the echinococcosis can affect organs whose functional impairment can cause symptoms.

Ultrasound, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the routinely used radiographic (imaging) techniques for the diagnosis of echinococcosis. Furthermore, specific serological blood tests can be performed. A definitive diagnosis can often only be made by microscopic or molecular-biological examinations of the cyst contents.

The optimal treatment of echinococcosis depends on several factors. Size, number and structure of cysts are just as crucial as the clinical stage and risk factors. Based on this information, the best individual treatment option is determined in an interdisciplinary session. This may involve drug therapy, surgery, puncture (PAIR), or a combination of these therapeutic options.