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Case Reports
. 2023 Dec 27;17(1):531.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-023-04275-4.

The unsolved problem of musculoskeletal hydatid disease: two case reports

Philani Ntombela  1   2 , Zweli Linda  3   4 , Tiego Hlapolosa  3 , Maxwell Jingo  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

The unsolved problem of musculoskeletal hydatid disease: two case reports

Philani Ntombela et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Hydatidosis is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus and humans are usually an accidental intermediate host. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is reported to occur in 0.5% to 4% of the cases.

Case presentation: We present our experience with two cases of musculoskeletal hydatidosis in black African patients that required orthopaedic surgical intervention. A 51-year-old black African female presented with right hip hydatid disease and a 37-year-old black African female presented with the disease affecting the left shoulder. Both patients presented with joint pain and reduced range of motion. The patient with involvement of the shoulder had a background history of human immunodeficiency virus, this was not present with the other patient. Diagnostic work-up confirmed peri-articular hydatid disease and both patients were surgically managed with arthroplasty. Post-operative complications encountered include hardware loosening from bone lysis and hardware failure.

Discussion: The medical literature describes a limited number of cases of peri-articular musculoskeletal hydatid disease. Patients are often subjected to many investigations, prolonged treatment periods and multiple surgeries. Concurrent use of medical and surgical treatment is advocated however, the choice of surgery is individualised.

Conclusion: Hydatid disease must always feature in the differential diagnosis of multiple lytic bone lesions and radical surgical intervention may be required from the outset.

Keywords: Hydatid disease; Hydatidosis; Musculoskeletal; Pelvis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pre-operative AP view of the pelvis showing multiple lytic/cystic lesions of the right hemi-pelvis + proximal femur. An associated subtrochanteric femur fracture + acetabular protrusion can be seen
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Post-operative AP view of the pelvis and lateral view of the right hip
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Pre-operative AP and lateral views of the left humerus
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Two year-post-operative AP and lateral views of the left humerus showing implant failure
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Post-operative AP and Lateral radiographs of the left shoulder after revision arthroplasty
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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