An Isolated Splenic Hydatid Cyst

Abstract

An isolated hydatid cyst of the spleen is a rare presentation of echinococcal diseases, especially in non-endemic areas where it may end up with unnecessary work-up and misdiagnosis. Here, we present the case of a 28-year-old female presenting with generalized abdominal pain, constipation, and early satiety who had a delayed diagnosis of isolated splenic hydatid cyst which was partially treated with albendazole, eventually requiring splenectomy.

Keywords: cyst hydatid; echinococcosis granulosus; hydatid; hydatid serology; partial splenectomy; splenic cyst.

Figure 1. Computerized tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis with intravenous contrast: a large cyst seen in the spleen measuring 11.9 × 10.6 cm in the axial dimension. Mass effect on the stomach can be seen with the partial displacement of the pancreas and kidney.

Figure 2. Magnetic resonance imaging of the abdomen/pelvis with and without contrast: a large splenic cyst can be seen within the left upper quadrant exerting a mass effect on the stomach.

Figure 3. Hematoxylin and eosin stain, 100× magnification of specimen (obtained from puncture-aspiration-injection-reaspiration) revealing disintegrated round structures with occasional granules and a rarely preserved ring structure with hooklets suspicious of Echinococcus.