Two cases of primary splenic hydatid cyst in Greece

Abstract

Cystic disease of the spleen is an uncommon entity in general population. Most cases result from parasitic infection by Echinococcus granulosus, a form called splenic hydatid disease (SHD), with a reported frequency of 0.5-6.0% within abdominal hydatidosis. On the contrary, an isolated splenic involvement of hydatid disease is very uncommon even in endemic regions. Two cases of primary SHD managed with open and laparoscopic radical surgery in our department are reported herein. Primary SHD is a rare entity with non-specific symptoms underlying clinical suspicion by the physician for prompt diagnosis. Surgical treatment is the mainstay therapy, while laparoscopic approach when feasible is safe, offering the advantages of laparoscopic surgery.

Keywords: Echinococcus granulosus; laparoscopic approach; splenectomy.

Fig. 1

Abdominal CT scan showing the calcified splenic cyst (A), intraoperative view of laparoscopic splenectomy (B), and splenectomy specimen (C).

Fig. 2

Abdominal CT scan showing the circumferentially calcified spleen (A), intraoperative view (B), and splenectomy specimen (C).