[Hydatid cyst mimicking kidney cancer]

Abstract

Hydatid cyst of the kidney is a rare condition caused by visceral hydatidoses, accounting for 2-4% of all disease locations. It is due to the larval stage of taenia of dogs, the echinococcus granulosus, which is a real public health problem in some of the Mediterranean countries. Pseudo-tumoral type IV hydatid cyst mainly poses diagnostic problems because it can mimick a neoplasm. We here report the case of a 54-year old patient with no previous medical history, in whom right tumoral mass of the kidney was discovered fortuitously on angioscanner performed due to arteritis of lower limbs. Thoraco-abdominopelvic scan showed heterogeneous expansive mid renal and upper renal pole process measuring 50mm in diameter, with calcifications, partially contrast ehanced, without secondary locations. The patient was completely asymptomatic, he didn't have hydaturia or other urinary signs. After multidisciplinary consultation, total right enlarged nephrectomy was performed and anatomo-pathological examination showed hydatid cyst of the kidney without signs of malignancy.

Keywords: Hydatid cyst; kidney; kidney cancer.

Figure 1

A) coupes scanographiques abdominales axial; B) et frontal, avec injection de produit de contraste, qui montrent un kyste hydatique rénal pseudo-tumoral droit avec son aspect hétérogène avec des calcifications par endroit, mimant ainsi une tumeur rénale