Subcutaneous hydatid cysts occurring in the palm and the thigh: two case reports

Abuzer Dirican,Cuneyt Kayaalp,Vedat Kirimlioglu,Bulent Unal

doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-273

Abstract

IntroductionHydatid cyst disease is common in some regions of the world and is usually located in the liver and lungs. This report presents two cases of primary hydatid cysts located subcutaneously: one in the medial thigh and one in the left palm between the index and middle fingers.Case presentationsA 64-year-old male farmer visited our hospital because a swelling on the right medial thigh had grown during the last year. Superficial ultrasound and computed tomography revealed a lesion resembling a hydatid cyst. A germinative membrane was encountered during surgical excision. Pathological examination was compatible with a hydatid cyst. The second case involved a 67-year-old male farmer who complained of a swelling that had grown in his left palm in the last year. The preliminary diagnosis was a lipoma. However, a hydatid cyst was diagnosed during surgical excision and after the pathological examination. The patient did not have a history of hydatid cyst disease and hydatid cysts were not detected in other organs. There has been no disease recurrence after following both patients for 3 years.ConclusionA hydatid cyst should be considered in the differential diagnosis of subcutaneous cystic lesions in regions where hydatid cysts are endemic, and should be excised totally, with an intact wall, to avoid recurrence.

Highlights

Hydatid cyst disease is common in some regions of the world and is usually located in the liver and lungs
The disease is more frequent in the Middle East, Central Europe, Australia, and South America, where the intermediate hosts are common
We present two cases of primary hydatid cysts located subcutaneously: one in the medial thigh and one in the hand

Summary

Introduction

A hydatid cyst is a parasitosis caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus or rarely Echinococcus alveolaris. We present two cases of primary hydatid cysts located subcutaneously: one in the medial thigh and one in the hand. No findings associated with local or systemic hydatid cysts were detected during a 3-year follow-up period. A hydatid cyst was considered when a germinative membrane was seen during excision under local anesthesia (Fig. 3). Total cyst excision and primary closure were performed, and histopathological examination revealed a hydatid cyst. The patient had no history of surgery for a hydatid cyst in another organ, and no additional cysts were observed on US and CT of the abdomen and thorax. The indirect hemagglutination test for hydatid cysts was negative, and the patient was placed on albendazole for 3 months (15 mg/kg/day). Http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/2/1/273 local or systemic hydatid cysts were detected during a 3year follow-up period

Discussion

Findings

Kayaalp C