Ultrasound diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis: updates and implications for clinical management

The diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis (CE) is based on imaging. Detection of a focal lesion with morphological characteristics of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato metacestode is the starting point for the diagnostic workup. In organs explorable with ultrasound (US), this is the method of choice for both aetiological diagnosis of CE and staging of the CE cyst. Staging in terms of lesion morphology is also needed when serology is added to the diagnostic workflow when imaging alone is inconclusive. Finally, staging guides the clinical management of uncomplicated CE, especially in the liver. This commentary provides an overview of the most up-to-date evidence backing the above-mentioned role of US in the diagnosis and clinical management of CE. Finally, we outline future perspectives for the improvement of CE diagnosis.