Hydatid Disease Presented as Acute Abdomen, an Interesting Incidental Finding: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatid disease can involve various body organs, but it is less common for it to involve multiple organs simultaneously. Hydatid cysts present unique manifestations in each organ. Some of these manifestations are rarely reported. In this report, we discuss a case of hydatid disease of the liver and omentum. Although most of the abdominal hydatid cysts are considered to be asymptomatic, our patient presented with symptoms of acute abdomen due to a torted peritoneal cyst, which is a very rare presentation. Case Presentation: A 40-year-old man was referred to the emergency department with dull and intermittent periumbilical pain in the left and right lower quadrant regions accompanied by moderate tenderness and rebound with involuntary guarding over the entire lower half of the abdomen. As the patient’s condition and abdominal pain were worsening rapidly, an open laparotomy was scheduled with the primary suspicion of peritonitis. During the surgery, five omental cysts were observed within different parts of the abdomen. One of the cysts was torted. Two simple cysts were also detected on post-operative abdominal computed tomography. Conclusions: It is important to keep in mind that even peritoneal involvement may be seen despite intact hepatic cysts. Careful excision of these cysts is the treatment of choice.