Primary hydatid cyst of the axillary region: a case report

Primary axillary hydatid cyst: A case report

BACKGROUND

Hydatid disease, also known as echinococcosis, is an endemic parasitic infection, most commonly caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It may affect any organ resulting in the formation of hydatid cysts, but most frequently involves liver and lungs. Hydatid cyst arising primarily from axilla is an extremely rare manifestation of this condition, with only a few cases reported in medical literature.

CASE PRESENTATION

Here we present the case of a 32-year-old Indian male farmer, who presented with a painless, slow-growing mass in the left axillary region of 8 months duration. Preoperative imaging led us to the diagnosis of primary axillary hydatid cyst, with no other associated cysts or masses anywhere else in the body. Following antihelmintic therapy, the cyst was surgically excised without rupture. The diagnosis was further confirmed by macroscopic and histopathological examination.

CONCLUSION

This case report highlights the importance of considering hydatid cyst in the differential diagnosis of palpable masses in the axillary region, especially in regions where the disease is endemic. Early recognition and accurate diagnosis are crucial for appropriate management and optimal patient outcomes.

Musculoskeletal Echinococcus infection as a rare first presentation of hydatid disease: case report

Background

Hydatid disease (HD) is a cosmopolitan parasitosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus that can potentially affect any part of the human body. Liver and lungs are the most frequent localizations. Primary musculoskeletal hydatidosis are seldom reported in literature and their incidence is unknown.

Case presentation

We deem interesting to report a case of a primary hydatid cyst in a 25-year-old patient who presented with a painful swelling of the right elbow. Meticulous examination and preoperative imaging did not reveal other localizations. Patient was admitted for surgery where total excision of cyst was done without intraoperative spillage and a cutaneous skin flap was subsequently required to make up for soft tissue loss.

Conclusion

Primary hydatid cysts are sometimes difficult to diagnose preoperatively. It should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous cystic lesions in regions where hydatid cysts are endemic. Currently, surgical excision is deemed first choice treatment for solitary cysts and antihelminthic treatment should be initiated preoperatively in the case of risk of rupture or in the event of complications.

Uncommon localizations of hydatid cyst. Review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

Hydatid disease is an endemic anthropozoonosis with usual localization in liver and lungs. Rarely it localizes in uncommon sites as spleen, skeleton, kidney, brain, cardiac muscle, peritoneum, sub cutis. Complications of uncommon localizations are the same that for usual ones.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Review of the literature on rare and atypical localization of hydatid cysts in soft tissues. Key-words used on Pub-Med [(echinococ OR hydatid) AND (soft tissue OR subcutaneous OR cutaneous)] without time limit. There were found 282 articles; 242 were excluded because of muscular or bone localizations. 40 were coherent.

RESULTS

Different variables are taken into account: age, sex, geographic area, anatomic localization of the cyst, dimension, symptoms, signs, mobility, blood exams and specific serological tests, imaging techniques for diagnosis, existing of septa in the structure, treatment, anaesthesia, spillage, neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatment, follow-up period, recurrent lesions.

CONCLUSION

It would be useful create an homogeneous and standardized collection of data of these rare and potentially life-threatening conditions in order to create guide-line of diagnostic and therapeutic process and create (or adopt) unique classification of the lesions.