Abstract
Hydatid cyst of the liver is usually asymptomatic, it may be diagnosed accidentally or when there is complications. It is more seen in endemic areas like Iraq and frequently seen in children. The author reports four rare cases of spontaneous rupture liver hydatid. They were admitted and treated at pediatric surgery center at Alkhansaa teaching hospital in Mosul. One of them ruptured to pleura, the second case had rupture to peritoneum with intact endocyst, while the third rupture to extra peritoneal space. The forth patient has direct rupture to peritoneal cavity with hundreds of daughter cysts. Liver hydatid cyst rupture is a serious complication. It comes in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in endemic areas. It needs urgent management. Anti helminthic therapy is needed post operatively in all of them Case summaries Four Iraqi children aged between 5.5-10 years (three boys and one girl) were referred to pediatric surgery center with differing presentation. Abdominal pain is the main presenting feature. One of them with predominant respiratory infection symptoms while the forth one with allergic reaction (tab1). Ultrasound and Chest X-ray were our main tool for the diagnosis. CT was used in two of them. Laparotomy was done in three of them while thoracotomy was performed in one.
