Isolated Muscular Echinococcosis of the Hand and Forearm: A Case Report

Hydatid diseases are a parasitic infestation of human and herbivorous animals caused by a cestode, Echinococcus granulosus. The liver and lung are commonly involved organs and the involvement of muscles and bones is very unusual, even in the countries where echinococcal infestation is endemic.

We report a case of muscular hydatidosis of the hand and forearm in a 71-year-old male without particular histories, who consulted for tumefaction of the right hand and forearm evolving for 2 years. Biology and the standard radiographs were without anomalies. The diagnosis was evoked on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and confirmed by surgical biopsy and excision. The operative follow-up was simple with no recurrence after 3 years.

Muscular echinococcosis is an extremely rare disease. An MRI evaluation should be taken into account as the gold standard in the diagnosis. Surgical cystectomy is often indicated, and an excision with wide margins is mandatory to avoid the rupture of the cyst and anaphylaxis. Adjuvant pharmacological therapy is recommended to minimize the risk of recurrence.