An unusual cyst in the broad ligament

Primary hydatid cyst of broad ligament

Cystic lesions of the female pelvis are common. Clinically, symptomatic lesions are mostly ovarian in origin and neoplastic in nature. Considerable diagnostic dilemma may be encountered if clinical, radiological, and estimation of serum markers failed to classify the origin and nature of such cysts. One such exceptional case is being described where a 35-year-old female presented with a rapidly growing cystic mass in lower abdomen, clinically suspicious of malignancy. Investigations failed to identify the nature. On laparotomy, excision of the mass was done. Suprisingly histopathological examination identified the lesion as hydatid cyst arising from the broad ligament. Female genital tract hydatidosis is uncommon and in most cases the involvement is secondary. Primary hydatid disease of female genital tract is even very rarer and generates considerable diagnostic difficulty. A significant clinical suspicion is necessary in the differential diagnosis of pelvic cystic diseases to identify such a rare entity.

Hydatidosis of the pelvic cavity: a big masquerade

We report and discuss a case of primary hydatidosis of the pelvic cavity in a woman who presented with severe weight loss and abdominal pain. This unusual presentation was initially considered as a tumor process until surgical exploration and microscopic studies confirmed the diagnosis. The gynecologists should be aware of possibility of primary hydatid cyst of the pelvic cavity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic pelvic masses, especially in areas where the disease is endemic.