Primary cervical hydatid cyst: A rare case report

Hydatid cyst is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosis. Occurrence in the head and neck is quite uncommon even in endemic areas. The diagnosis of an isolated cystic neck mass is still a challenge due to the presence of similar congenital cystic lesions and benign tumors in the neck. Imaging is useful, but sometimes they cannot identify a definitive diagnosis. The treatment of choice is exclusively surgical excision, combined with chemotherapy. Histopathology confirms the definitive diagnosis.

We present a case of an 8-year-old boy with no history of surgery or trauma, who complained of an isolated left posterior neck mass since one year. All radiological items lead to suspect a cystic lymphangioma. Excisional biopsy under general anesthesia was done. The cystic mass was totally resected and the diagnosis was further confirmed by histopathology.

Cervical hydatid cyst is mostly a misdiagnosed condition, majority of hydatid cyst cases are asymptomatic and vary on the basis of their locations. The differential diagnosis includes cystic lymphangioma, branchial cleft cyst, bronchogenic, thoracic duct, esophageal duplication cysts, pseudocysts and benign tumors.

Isolated cervical hydatid cyst is rarely reported yet, it must be considered in any cases of cystic cervical mass, particularly in endemic areas. Imaging modalities are sensitive in diagnosing cystic lesions, yet sometimes they cannot identify the exact etiology of the lesion. Furthermore, Prevention of hydatid disease is more favorable than surgical excision.