Cytologic findings in aspirated hydatid fluid.

A case of hydatid disease of the liver diagnosed by accidental needle aspiration of a cyst is reported. The patient presented with multiple symptoms, whose cause could not be readily determined. Since an amoebic abscess of the tender and enlarged liver was one possibility, that organ was aspirated with an 18-gauge needle, producing about 200 mL of slightly turbid fluid; the patient went into anaphylactic shock following the procedure, but was revived. Smears of the fluid showed brood capsules, free scolices and scattered hooklets pathognomonic of Echinococcus. The cytologic diagnosis of echinococcosis was confirmed by histopathologic examination of the surgically removed cysts.