Uncommon sites of a common disease "” Hydatid cyst

Abstract

Objective: To review uncommon sites of hydatid cysts and to assess radiological features of hydatid disease in head, neck, spine and heart.

Methodology: A retrospective study of 50 cases of hydatid disease attended at Radiology department of Rehman Medical Institute, Peshawar between May 2012 and November 2013 was conducted to determine the incidence and imaging presentations of atypical localization of the disease. After taking permission from ethical committee, indoor and outdoor patients with hydatid cysts were selected for the study. All data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 10.0.The data was assessed using Microsoft excel 2007.

Results: A total number of 50 patients had Hydatid cysts. Two patients had multiorgan involvement i.e., one had liver and lung involvement while other had liver and brain involvement. The cysts were present in brain (n=3, 6%), spine (n=2, 3%), neck soft tissues (n=1, 1%), heart (n=2, 3%), ovary (n=3, 6%), kidney (n=1, 1%), spleen (n=3, 6%), peritoneal cavity (n=2, 4%) and pancreas (n=1, 1%). Liver was involved in 20 (41%) cases while lung was involved in 14 (28%) cases.

Conclusion: Hydatid disease can involve unusual sites like heart, brain, neck, spine and pancreas. It may occur anywhere, from the big toe to the crown of the head and should be kept in consideration when a cystic lesion is encountered anywhere in the body especially in endemic areas.