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Case Reports
. 2024 Aug 30;18(1):399.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04733-7.

Extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cyst: a case report

Nagham Bazzi  1 , Hussein Baalbaki  2 , Alain Njeim  2 , Ali Hmede  2 , Mohammad Chaaban  3 , Mohammad Ali Almokdad  4 , Ali Alhousseini  5 , Gaby Abou Sleiman  6
Affiliations
Case Reports

Extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cyst: a case report

Nagham Bazzi et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcosis, is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larvae of the Echinococcus tapeworm. It is endemic in various regions worldwide, particularly in rural areas of countries in southern South America, Central Asia, China, parts of Africa, the Mediterranean, and parts of the Middle East. The disease primarily affects the liver (60-70% of cases) and the lungs (10-25% of cases), but it can involve any organ, including the brain, bones, and rarely the pelvic region, as seen in our case report. Hydatid disease typically follows an asymptomatic course in the early stages of the primary infection and may remain so potentially for years or even permanently. If symptoms occur, they depend on various factors, such as the number, size, and location among other factors. Typically, hydatid disease presents with nonspecific symptoms. Common symptoms include abdominal pain, hepatomegaly, as well as anaphylaxis in case of cyst rupture. Extrahepatic intra-abdominal isolated hydatic cyst is a rare finding (6-11%).

Case presentation: In our case, a 70 year-old Asian white male presented with right thigh pain radiating to the lower leg, which is an atypical presentation for an extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cyst. Primary intraabdominal hydatid cysts involving the pelvic region are relatively rare, and such cases pose diagnostic and management challenges.

Conclusion: This case report underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing extrahepatic intraabdominal hydatid cysts, particularly in atypical presentations. A combination of clinical evaluation, serological studies, and imaging techniques facilitates accurate diagnosis.

Keywords: Echinococcus; Extrahepatic; Hydatid cyst; Intraabdominal.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and publication of this article.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Computed tomography of the abdominopelvis showing cystic lesions along the right pelvic cavity
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Computed tomography scan showing the remodeling of the sub adjacent right iliac and acetabular caused by the cysts
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Some intraoperative pictures during removal of the cyst
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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