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Medical Definition of Alveolar hydatid cyst
1. A hydatid cyst of a multiloculate type, usually in the liver, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, adults of which are in foxes; larvae (alveolar hydatid) are found chiefly in microtine rodents, but also among humans such as trappers and others handling pelts of infected foxes and other carnivores; growth is by exogenous budding and is not limited by an outer laminated membrane as in the hydatid cyst from E. Granulosus; necrosis, cavitation, contiguous spread, and death usually ensue. Synonym: multilocular hydatid cyst, multiloculate hydatid cyst. (05 Mar 2000)