Diagnosis of hydatid disease of abdomen and thorax by ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration cytology.

Five cases of hydatid disease of abdomen and thorax were diagnosed by fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) under ultrasound guidance. The age of patients ranged from 25-50 years, with a median age of 37 years. Male to female ratio was 2:3. None of the cases were clinically diagnosed as hydatid disease, but ultrasonography raised suspicion in two cases. The location of cyst in four cases was liver and one aspiration was done from lung. Smears from all cases showed features consistent with hydatid disease. None of the patients showed any untoward allergic reaction following FNAC.