Uncommon locations of hydatid cysts

Abstract

Human echinococcosis remains a complex problem that may affect several organs, and requires mostly surgical management. We present two cases with uncommon locations of hydatid cysts that were successfully managed in our hospital during the last two years. The first case was a 62-year-old woman with a multicystic lesion in her right thigh that was radically excised, and histology confirmed the diagnosis of echinococcosis. The second case was a 78-year-old man with multiple large intraabdominal hydatid cysts that required a complex operation, including splenectomy, partial removal of the liver cyst wall and evacuation of the content, and excision of pelvic, mesenteric cysts, and suprahepatic cysts. Both cases have not shown any sign of recurrence to date. Since the disease is still endemic in certain parts of the world and pharmaceutical agents are not radical, specific surgical procedures remain the treatment of choice with good results and acceptable morbidity, mortality and recurrence rates.