A Rare Case of Isolated Cystic Hydatid of Thyroid Gland

Hydatid Cyst of Thyroid Gland: A Case Report

Hydatid cysts in the thyroid gland are extremely rare, even in endemic areas. A 64-year-old male presented with a painless swelling on the left side of the thyroid swelling for 2 years. Ultrasonography revealed a large multiloculated anechoic lesion while fine needle aspiration cytology yielded clear watery to granular fluid containing hooklets, protoscolioces, laminated membrane, identifiable on both Giemsa stained and unstained slides. Further tests confirmed positive serology for Echinococcus, and computed tomography (CT) scan showed no such cysts in other organs. The patient was treated successfully with a lobectomy without signs of recurrence in 1 year. Although primary hydatid cysts of the thyroid are rare, even in endemic areas, they should be considered as a differential diagnosis when evaluating thyroid nodules in these regions. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) can confirm the diagnosis. However, clinicians must take care to avoid anaphylactic reactions. The use of FNAC in hydatid disease is debatable as it may cause anaphylactic reaction, but in cases with doubtful diagnosis, it can serve as a confirmatory tool. The condition can be managed successfully with lobectomy.

Unexpected discovery of a thyroid hydatid cyst during pathological examination: a case report

BACKGROUND

Hydatid disease, a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus, infrequently involves the thyroid gland, whether through direct invasion or hematogenous spread.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 62-year-old female patient from Morocco who presented with an anterior cervical mass, initially suspected to be a goiter. A histopathological evaluation of the thyroidectomy specimen identified the presence of a hydatid cyst. A comprehensive review of the literature is also included.

CONCLUSION

Given that Morocco is an endemic region for hydatid disease, clinicians should consider this parasitic infection in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cystic lesions, recognizing the clinical and laboratory indicators of the disease.

Primary hydatid cyst of the thyroid glands: two case reports and a review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Although hydatid cyst remains one of the prevalent parasitic infections in humans, hydatid cyst of the thyroid is extremely rare, even in endemic areas. Here we present two cases of thyroid hydatid cysts.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 35 and a 50 year-old Iranian female with a positive history of animal contact were presented with a neck lump without any compressive symptoms. A physical exam revealed neck masses that elevated with swallowing. Thyroid gland ultrasonography showed cystic thyroid lesions, and fine needle aspiration (FNA) suggested a thyroid hydatic cyst. Thyroid lobectomy and isthmectomy were done for the first patient, and near-total thyroidectomy was done for the other. The pathology report confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. None of the patients had hydatid cysts in other sites. Patients were discharged without an antiparasitic drug, and no recurrence was detected at the six-month follow-up.

CONCLUSION

It is necessary to consider hydatid cysts in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the thyroid gland in endemic areas, especially in people with a positive history of animal contact.

Cystic echinococcosis in a Moroccan boy: a silent and neglected disease among refugee and migrant children

We report the unusual case of a 5-year-old migrant boy from a rural area of Morocco with an almost-giant lung hydatid cyst that was an incidental finding on a chest X-ray performed during routine visa procedures. Echinococcus granulosus serology test was initially negative with subsequent positive seroconversion. Albendazole was started at 4 weeks before surgery and maintained for 4 months, with a favourable outcome. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is considered a neglected tropical disease and affects more than one million people worldwide, mostly from a lower socioeconomic background. Preventive measures have been limited in underdeveloped regions. Children with CE are especially vulnerable, due not only to the high pathogenic potential of the disease but also to their frequent involvement in challenging socioeconomic situations, including migration. The incidence of CE is increasing in Europe because of high immigration flows from endemic countries. Nevertheless, CE is not covered by current migrant screening protocols.

Hydatid cyst of the thyroid gland with tracheal fistula: A case report and review of the literature

Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcal disease, is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus infection. Hydatid cysts of the thyroid are rare. The present case study reports on a patient with hydatid cyst in the thyroid with tracheal fistula. A 54-year-old male patient without any history of exposure to farm animals was hospitalized due to fever and productive cough with occasional hydatid daughter cyst. The patient was diagnosed with a hydatid cyst of the thyroid gland with tracheal fistula by relevant examination. An operation was performed to remove the hydatid cyst and to repair the fistula. The patient took oral albendazole after surgery to prevent hydatid recurrence. Operative recovery was uneventful and the patient resumed his normal activities. Prompt diagnosis and an appropriate surgical treatment prevented a potentially fatal outcome. Furthermore, the characteristics of thyroid cystic echinococcosis, and its diagnosis and treatment in the present case and other cases reported in the literature were summarized and reviewed. Although the thyroid gland is rarely affected, hydatid cyst disease should be considered as a differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the thyroid gland in patients living in regions where hydatid cyst disease is endemic.

Isolated hydatid cyst of thyroid: An unusual case

INTRODUCTION

Hydatid cystic disease is a parasitic infestation that is mostly caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which is common in sheep-rearing areas of the Mediterranean, Middle East, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and South America. Canines are the definitive hosts, and herbivores (e.g. sheep, horses, deer) or humans are intermediate hosts. Ingested eggs from animal feces hatch in the gut and release oncospheres (immature forms of the parasite enclosed in an embryonic envelope).

CASE REPORT

A very rare case of isolated, thyroidal, hydatic cyst is presented.

CONCLUSION

Non-vascular cysts may be seen on ultrasonographic examination that are not specific for hydatid disease. Clinical and laboratory findings are therefore important. Definitive diagnosis is based on histopathological findings. Treatment is surgical and antiparasitic drugs are required after surgery.

Alveolar echinococcosis in the head of pancreas: A case report

RATIONALE

Pancreatic alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is an exceptionally rare disease; no more than 10 cases have been published to date. It is characterized as extensive local tissue infringement and destruction; thus, extended surgical resection, such as duodenopancreatectomy, is often needed to obtain a negative resection margin so as to improve the long-term outcome and prognosis.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A middle-aged Tibetan man was admitted due to a 16-year history of recurrent pain in the right upper abdomen. Magnetic resonance imaging scan showed a cystic lesion in the VI segment of his liver and several cystic lesions in the head of pancreas.

DIAGNOSES

Pancreatic AE.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient adopted a preserved surgery of partial cystectomy and completely removing the content of the cyst and then soaking by hypertonic saline combined with adjuvant medical therapy of albendazole.

OUTCOMES

The patient was monitored on a regular basis at the outpatient department; the patient is still alive and has already survived 8 years till now.

LESSONS

A preserved surgery combined with adjuvant medical therapy of albendazole can also contribute to a good survival outcome for AE located at the head of pancreas.

Disseminated hydatid cyst of liver and lung

Hydatid cyst commonly affects liver followed by lung, but rarely affects both organs simultaneously. Here we presented a patient who presented with concurrent involvement of both lungs and liver. Patient presented with dyspnoea and generalised weakness with bilateral rounded opacities throughout the lung field of variable sizes. CT scan chest with contrast showed multiple rounded soft tissue density in both lungs and liver. Patient underwent mini thoracotomy which revealed multiple cystic lesions throughout lung. ELISA for anti-Echinococcus antibodies shows positive titres. Due to extensive involvement, patient was started on medical treatment albendazole. The patient showed significant improvement both clinically and radiographically on treatment. Thus long-term medical treatment helps in such cases where surgery is not possible.

Non-thrombotic Pulmonary Embolism Due to Liver Hydatic Cyst: A Case Report

Background:

A non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism is defined as embolization to the pulmonary circulation. It may be caused by microorganisms, foreign bodies, different cell types or gas in the pulmonary circulation. Pulmonary hydatid cyst-induced embolization is a rare complication of heart or liver hydatid cysts.

Case Report:

We describe the fatal case of a 15-year-old boy without any known prior illness who was admitted to the hospital after feeling unwell and dropping to the ground while playing ball. During the autopsy, a lesional mass, with dimensions of 13x6 cm, was observed in the left lobe of the liver. The histomorphological examination of pulmonary sections showed scolices observed in pulmonary vessel lumina, thus a non-thrombosis hydatid embolism was diagnosed. Based on the findings, the cause of death was recorded as a non-thrombotic hydatid embolism.

Conclusion:

The present case is interesting because a non-thrombotic pulmonary embolism rarely results in sudden death, and a definitive diagnosis was possible only by a histopathological examination.