Primary Hydatid Cyst of the Diaphragm Mimicking Diaphragmatic Tumour: A Case Report

Echinococcus commonly affects the liver and the lung, but several organs can be affected by this disease. The isolated primary diaphragmatic hydatid cyst, not associated with liver or lung, is very rare. We report a case of hydatid cyst in a 55-year-old male, located in the abdominal side of the left hemidiaphragm which mimicked a hypovascular diaphragmatic tumour and exophytic splenic cyst. In our case the diagnosis was confirmed only with histopathological examination done after surgical excision of the cyst. The aim of this work lies in the fact that knowledge of this clinical entity especially in endemic areas as in India will enable radiologists to guide the clinicians in proper diagnosis and adequate pre-operative planning.