Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report

Introduction: Hydatid cysts (HD), caused by the parasitic infection Echinococcus granulosus, may affect several organs, most commonly the liver and lungs. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is extremely rare, thus posing unique diagnostic challenges. Presentation of the case: We report the ca...

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Main Authors: Marta Karpik, Rodrigo Cosme de Esteban, Saddam Sammoudi, Jakub Szklaruk, Krzysztof Koryszewski, Marek Bielecki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-01-01
Series:IDCases
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925001039
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author Marta Karpik
Rodrigo Cosme de Esteban
Saddam Sammoudi
Jakub Szklaruk
Krzysztof Koryszewski
Marek Bielecki
author_facet Marta Karpik
Rodrigo Cosme de Esteban
Saddam Sammoudi
Jakub Szklaruk
Krzysztof Koryszewski
Marek Bielecki
author_sort Marta Karpik
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Hydatid cysts (HD), caused by the parasitic infection Echinococcus granulosus, may affect several organs, most commonly the liver and lungs. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is extremely rare, thus posing unique diagnostic challenges. Presentation of the case: We report the case of a 61-year-old homeless man who presented with a progressively enlarging mass and swelling of the right thigh, that he had first noticed 6 months prior to the appointment. General physical examination and radiological evaluation revealed a multilocular intramuscular cystic mass in the thigh, extending into the pelvis region with pelvic bone involvement, as well as a multilocular cystic lesions in the liver, lungs, and one kidney. Serological testing via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid disease. Due to the extensive size of the cystic masses, surgical intervention was deemed unfeasible. The patient was treated with albendazole (400 mg twice daily), with improvement in both local and general condition. The patient currently resides in a nursing home and requires regular follow-up appointments at the hospital due to a decline in his general health. Over the past two years, he has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and post-stroke epilepsy. Discussion: Surgical removal is regarded as the optimal treatment of hydatid disease; however, in cases involving large cysts, radical resection might not be viable. In such scenarios, causal treatment with antiparasitic medication can be an effective alternative. Conclusion: Hydatid cysts in the musculoskeletal system are rare but can mimic tumour-like masses, making diagnosis difficult. Surgery remains the gold standard for treatment of the disease.
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spelling doaj-art-4394190024b44595a020a8d2ebaf6afa2025-08-20T02:31:11ZengElsevierIDCases2214-25092025-01-0140e0224710.1016/j.idcr.2025.e02247Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case reportMarta Karpik0Rodrigo Cosme de Esteban1Saddam Sammoudi2Jakub Szklaruk3Krzysztof Koryszewski4Marek Bielecki5Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandMedical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandMedical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandMedical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandMedical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandCorresponding author.; Medical University of Bialystok, Department of Orthopaedics, Traumatology and Hand Surgery, PolandIntroduction: Hydatid cysts (HD), caused by the parasitic infection Echinococcus granulosus, may affect several organs, most commonly the liver and lungs. Involvement of the musculoskeletal system is extremely rare, thus posing unique diagnostic challenges. Presentation of the case: We report the case of a 61-year-old homeless man who presented with a progressively enlarging mass and swelling of the right thigh, that he had first noticed 6 months prior to the appointment. General physical examination and radiological evaluation revealed a multilocular intramuscular cystic mass in the thigh, extending into the pelvis region with pelvic bone involvement, as well as a multilocular cystic lesions in the liver, lungs, and one kidney. Serological testing via Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid disease. Due to the extensive size of the cystic masses, surgical intervention was deemed unfeasible. The patient was treated with albendazole (400 mg twice daily), with improvement in both local and general condition. The patient currently resides in a nursing home and requires regular follow-up appointments at the hospital due to a decline in his general health. Over the past two years, he has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and post-stroke epilepsy. Discussion: Surgical removal is regarded as the optimal treatment of hydatid disease; however, in cases involving large cysts, radical resection might not be viable. In such scenarios, causal treatment with antiparasitic medication can be an effective alternative. Conclusion: Hydatid cysts in the musculoskeletal system are rare but can mimic tumour-like masses, making diagnosis difficult. Surgery remains the gold standard for treatment of the disease.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925001039Hydatid cystEchinococcus granulosusSerologic test for Hydatid cystAlbendazole therapySurgery for hydatid cyst
spellingShingle Marta Karpik
Rodrigo Cosme de Esteban
Saddam Sammoudi
Jakub Szklaruk
Krzysztof Koryszewski
Marek Bielecki
Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
IDCases
Hydatid cyst
Echinococcus granulosus
Serologic test for Hydatid cyst
Albendazole therapy
Surgery for hydatid cyst
title Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
title_full Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
title_fullStr Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
title_full_unstemmed Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
title_short Hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass: a rare case and diagnostic challenge – A case report
title_sort hydatid cyst of the thigh mimicking a tumour mass a rare case and diagnostic challenge a case report
topic Hydatid cyst
Echinococcus granulosus
Serologic test for Hydatid cyst
Albendazole therapy
Surgery for hydatid cyst
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214250925001039
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