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Case Reports
. 2022 May 26;23(1):1363.
doi: 10.4102/sajhivmed.v23i1.1363. eCollection 2022.

Splenic hydatid disease in pregnancy

Kirstie F Thomson  1 , Florence Mahlobo  2   3 , Denasha L Reddy  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Splenic hydatid disease in pregnancy

Kirstie F Thomson et al. South Afr J HIV Med. .

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatid disease in the South African setting remains an important differential diagnosis in many appropriate clinical presentations, such as splenomegaly. Splenic hydatid disease in pregnancy is a rare and complex disease to manage.

Patient presentation: In this case report we describe a case of isolated splenic hydatid disease in an HIV-positive woman presenting in her third trimester of pregnancy.

Management and outcome: A multidisciplinary team consisting of specialists from the high-risk maternity unit, hepatobiliary surgery and infectious diseases planned the management of the patient, which included pre-operative albendazole and elective caesarean section with assisted forceps delivery at 36 weeks' gestation. An elective splenectomy in the post-partum period was planned for definitive management.

Conclusion: Our aim is to highlight the unique treatment challenges of hydatid disease in pregnancy and the need for a multidisciplinary team approach when managing complex cases of hydatid disease.

Keywords: cystic echinococcosis; hydatid disease; pregnancy; spleen; splenomegaly.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this case report.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Images taken from the initial ultrasound done on presentation; (a) An image showing the enlarged spleen measuring 21 cm; (b) This image shows the extensive splenic hydatid cysts involving more than 90% of the normal splenic tissue; (c) An indication of the largest splenic cyst measuring 4.8 cm × 4.0 cm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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