Inaccurate Sonographic Diagnosis of Hepatic CE Can Be Dangerous – Remarks on “Echinococcosis: A Challenge for Liver Sonography” by W. Kratzer et al Ultraschall in Med. 24 February 2022

We read the paper by W. Kratzer et al. [1].

Imaging, in particular ultrasound (US), is the mainstay of diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Despite its worldwide distribution, physicians are often unfamiliar with the features of CE cysts, crucial for diagnosis and clinical decision-making [2].

Diagnostic and treatment errors may have serious consequences for the patient and the physician. Unfortunately, the paper by Kratzer et al. presents an inaccurate description of a number of features of CE cysts, on which we wish to draw the readerʼs attention.

Publication History

Received: 13 July 2022

Accepted: 09 August 2022

Accepted Manuscript online:
09 August 2022

Article published online:
02 November 2022

• References

• 1 Kratzer W, Weimer H, Schmidberger J. Echinococcosis: a Challenge for Liver Sonography. Ultraschall in Med 2022; 43: 120-145
• 2 Brunetti E, Kern P, Vuitton DA. et al. Expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of cystic and alveolar echinococcosis in humans. Acta Trop 2010; 114: 1-16
• 3 Vuitton DA, McManus DP, Rogan MT. et al. International consensus on terminology to be used in the field of echinococcoses. Parasite 2020; 27: 41
• 4 Hosch W, Junghanss T, Stojkovic M. et al. Metabolic viability assessment of cystic echinococcosis using high-field 1H MRS of cyst contents. NMR Biomed 2008; 21: 734-754
• 5 Stojkovic M, Zwahlen M, Teggi A. et al. Treatment response of cystic echinococcosis to benzimidazoles: a systematic review. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2009; 3: e524