Laparoscopic management of a large primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst

Hydatid cysts usually involve the liver and lungs, but any other organ can potentially be involved and these can mimic numerous pathologies; however, primary involvement of the retroperitoneum and presentation as a left-sided abdominal mass is quite unusual. A 30-year-old male presented with a large cystic lump in the left side of the abdomen that was diagnosed as a primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst by a computed tomography scan and serology. The patient was managed successfully by minimal access surgery. This report highlights that a primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst is a rare clinical entity and should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses in patients presenting with a cystic mass in the retroperitoneum. In the present era of minimal access surgery, it can be safely managed with a laparoscopic approach.