An Unusual Case of Extrapulmonary Hydatid Cyst Masquerading as a Mediastinal Tumor

Hydatid disease is a common disease in developing countries. The usual presentations include lung and liver cysts. Herein, we present a case of extrapulmonary, intrathoracic hydatid cyst with chest wall and spinal cord involvement, with the patient having symptoms of neurological compression and chest pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) showed a large, septated, cystic mass which was eroding third, fourth and fifth ribs posteriorly, undermining the transverse process and pushing the spinal cord to the right through the intervertebral foramen. The diagnosis was confirmed by aspiration cytology. The patient was treated with albendazole as she refused surgery, which showed complete resolution of symptoms within one month.