Primary Giant Splenic Echinococcal Cyst Treated by Laparoscopy

A massive primary hydatid splenic cyst was successfully managed through open total splenectomy: a case report and review article

Background

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a parasitic infection that is caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. CE is very common, especially in the rural areas of developing countries. The most commonly affected organs by hydatid cysts are the liver and the lungs. However, the primary splenic hydatid cyst (PSHC) is a very rare manifestation of CE with an incidence of 0.5-8%.

Case presentation

A 17-year-old female patient presented with abdominal pain which gradually increased over months, along with anorexia and vomiting. Computerized tomography showed a massive splenic cystic mass. An open total splenectomy was performed. By follow-up, the platelet count and a postoperative chest X-ray were normal. The patient was prescribed Albendazole and analgesics. The pathological study confirmed the diagnosis of PSHC.

Conclusion

Despite the occurrence of PSHC being very rare, it is very important to take it into consideration, especially in endemic areas.

Isolated Giant Primary Splenic Hydatid Cyst in a 10-Year-Old Boy: A Case Report

Hydatid cyst (HD) disease is a parasitic infection produced by cysts containing the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. It occurs worldwide, but its prevalence is higher in the rural communities of some developing countries like Yemen, where sheep and cattle raising constitute a crucial component of the agricultural industry. This zoonotic disease spreads due to close contact humans with sheep and dogs. The most involved organs with HC are the liver and lungs. However, other organs may also foster it, such as the spleen, with an incidence rate of between 0.5% and 6%. To the best of our knowledge, primary involvement of the spleen by HC is very rare, and a few cases with isolated spleen HC in children were reported. In this study, a ten-year-old boy with a huge primary splenic HC is reported with chief chief complaint of pain and non-tender bulging in his abdomen’s left upper quadrant. A 20×16×18 cm splenic cystic mass was detected by ultrasonography (US) and confirmed by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan without macroscopic involvement in other organs. Total splenectomy was carried out for hem. Pathological examinations revealed cystic hydatidosis. We describe this case of an isolated huge spleen HC, which was successfully treated with total splenectomy, focusing on the management and outcome of this disease.

Case Report: Laparoscopic Excision of a Primary Giant Splenic Hydatid Cyst: Literature Review

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), also known as hydatid cyst, is a zoonosis caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. It is a common health problem in many countries. This condition predominantly affects the liver and the lungs, and the spleen to a less extent (splenic hydatid cyst, SHD). Indeed, it is estimated that SHD occurs in less than 2% of abdominal CE and 0.5-8% of CE cases. Here, we present a case of a 44-year-old Chinese woman with primary giant SHD who experienced pain in the left hypochondrium for 10 days. A combination of abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) were used for preoperative diagnosis. Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed without any complications, and albendazole (400 mg per day) was administered postoperatively for 3 months. At 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month follow-up, the patient remained symptoms free, and abdominal CT found no signs of recurrence. In addition to this case, we review the previous literature on SHD treated by laparoscopy and reveal that laparoscopic approach is safe and effective for SHD. Particularly, we show that laparoscopic splenectomy is feasible for giant cysts (> 10 cm) at high risk of rupture or compressing other vital structures.

Simultaneous Huge Splenic and Mesenteric Hydatid Cyst

Hydatid disease (HD) is caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is endemic in many parts of the world. This parasitic tapeworm can produce cysts in almost every organ of the body, with the liver and lung being the most frequently targeted organs. The spleen and mesentery are unusual locations. We report a case of simultaneous huge splenic and mesenteric hydatid cyst in a 91-year-old male patient. The patient was presented with chronic abdominal pain, increased frequency of defecation, and typical history of animal contact (cattle, sheep, and dogs). After performing imaging studies, he was diagnosed with a simultaneous huge spleen and pelvic mesentery hydatid cyst that was managed surgically by splenectomy, pelvic mesenteric cyst deroofing, and partial cystectomy.

Laparoscopic Management of Initially Unrecognized Splenic Hydatid Cysts: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

We present a case report that demonstrates diagnostic and intraoperative challenges in the laparoscopic management of initially unrecognized splenic hydatid disease. A male patient, aged 44, was admitted to our department with a big unilocular splenic cyst, radiologically (ultrasonography, computed tomography) characterized as a simple cyst. Serological tests for anti-Echonococcus antibody were negative, and chests X-ray findings were unremarkable, so laparoscopic cyst fenestration with omentoplasty was planned. The intraoperative finding did not correspond to a simple splenic cyst. Hydatid daughter cysts were recognized after the careful opening of the cyst wall. The operation was completed without shifting to open procedures. Laparoscopic partial pericystectomy with omentoplasty is a safe and effective surgical procedure for the management of splenic hydatid disease.

Splenic Localization of Primary Hydatid Cyst in a 27-Year-Old Sportsman Treated by PAIR Technique: Imaging Anatomy Assessment

Introduction:

In this paper, we report our experience with a case of primary hydatid cyst involving only the spleen in a 27-year-old sportsman treated by PAIR technique.

Case Report:

Five years before, a 27-year-old handball player being admitted to our hospital, it was detected the cyst in his spleen which size was 35 x 30 mm in diameter, by abdominal ultrasound during a systematic examination. There was no pain or any other symptoms at that time. Tests on the presence of echinococcus cysts were negative. After a period of 5 years, and regular check-ups, the patient began to feel a dull pain in the left upper quadrant area. The Echinococcus test was again negative. Puncture and aspiration of content was performed and sent to cytological analysis that confirmed the presence of Echinococcus. The CT finding showed the spleen in a normal position, shape, enlarged, 185 mm in longitudinal diameter (splenomegaly), with inhomogeneous parenchyma on the expense of rounded area with hyperdense halo, which did not opacify after contrast, located in the dorsal area of the spleen, 100x98 mm in diameter and which corresponded to the echinococcal cyst in differential diagnosis–clean dense contents (protein / haemorrhagic).

Conclusion:

The reported case is very specific, considering that handball is contact sport, where it is almost impossible to avoid the physical contact between players, which is sometimes even rough. Due to rough contacts, spleen trauma is something we should be very aware about, especially in cases of splenomegaly with hydatid cyst, where the spleen rupture might lead to fatal outcome. According to all this, careful follow up of this patient is necessary.