Discussion:
Echinococcosis is a disease caused by infection with parasites of the Echinococcus genus, which can form cysts primarily in the liver and lungs. In most cases, the diagnosis of echinococcosis can be relatively straightforward, but there are situations where the presence of other conditions can complicate the clinical picture.
In the case described in the report, the presence of polycystic disease, characterized by the formation of multiple cysts, masked the true nature of the hepatic cysts for a prolonged period. However, when the patient developed severe septic episodes, with a significant deterioration in their general condition, sepsis made the diagnosis more complex.
The negativization of specific indicators of Echinococcus infection may have been influenced by the presence of sepsis. In these complex situations, a multidisciplinary approach involving radiologists, infectious disease specialists, and surgeons is essential to reach an accurate diagnosis. In some cases, surgical exploration and drainage of the lesions may be necessary to confirm the presence of echinococcosis.
The possibility of concurrent Echinococcus infection should be considered in cases where there is polycystic disease with the presence of cysts exhibiting atypical features in the overall context. Multidisciplinary evaluation is crucial for making appropriate decisions regarding pharmacological therapy or invasive treatment, such as surgery or PAIR (puncture, aspiration, injection, re-aspiration), depending on the specific circumstances of the patient.