Isolated renal hydatid cyst

Hydatid disease, is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. The Liver and lungs are the commonly affected organs but rarely kidney can be affected. Patient with primary renal hydatid may present with nonspecific symptoms or may be diagnosed incidentally. Imaging and serology are useful for diagnosis. The best therapy is surgery.

This case is reported to discuss a 35-year-old female presented with complaints of left side flank pain and swelling. The abdominal US and CECT show renal cyst, which was nonspecific. She underwent an open surgical exploration and cystectomy plus partial pericystectomy done. Post-operative serology test show Echinococcus IgG positive. Postoperatively, the patient had an uneventful recovery and discharged with Albendazole therapy for 8 weeks.

Renal hydatid cyst is rare, accounting for less than 2 to 3 % of all hydatid disease. Renal hydatid cysts can remain asymptomatic for many years and then can be discovered incidentally. The diagnosis and staging of renal hydatid cysts rely heavily on imaging and serology. Hydatid disease is primarily treated surgically.

A high index of suspicion should be maintained, especially in endemic areas, to ensure timely and accurate diagnosis of renal hydatid cyst. Surgical excision remains the treatment of choice, with appropriate preoperative and postoperative anthelminthic therapy. Long-term follow-up is crucial to monitor for recurrence and associated complications.