Primary extrahepatic abdominal hydatidosis

Abstract

Introduction: Most of the abdominal hydatid cysts occur in liver. Extrahepatic hydatid cyst is usually secondary to rupture (operative and non-operative) of the hepatic hydatid cyst. Primary extrahepatic hydatid cysts are rare and only a few sporadic cases have been reported.

Material and methods: One hundred and eighty-three patients with abdominal hydatid cysts managed surgically from January 1998 to December 2003 were evaluated retrospectively. Twelve (6.5%) patients had only extrahepatic abdominal involvement.

Results: The cysts were present in spleen (2.2%), pancreas (1.1%), peritoneum and pelvis (1.6%), gallbladder (0.6%), mesocolon (0.6%) and adrenal (0.6%).

Discussion and conclusions: It is difficult to diagnose extrahepatic echinococcosis as it usually is not suspected. Symptoms are related to size, location or ensuing complication of the cyst. It should be strongly suspected in differential diagnosis of all abdominal cysts especially in an endemic area.