Hydatidosis with Atypical Localization: Report of Three Cases and Literature Review

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Echinococcosis is a significant parasitic zoonosis with a substantial public health impact, particularly in endemic regions.
• While typically affecting the liver and lungs, echinococcosis can manifest in other organs, posing diagnostic challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report three original cases of echinococcosis with atypical organ involvement (bone, heart, brain).
• To highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with rare localizations of hydatid cysts.
• To emphasize the importance of considering echinococcosis in the differential diagnosis of cystic masses in unusual sites.

Main Methods:

• Case series reporting three patients with echinococcosis in atypical locations.
• Review of diagnostic procedures and treatment strategies employed for each case.
• Discussion of clinical vigilance required for recognizing uncommon presentations.

Main Results:

• Three cases of hydatid cysts were successfully diagnosed and treated in unusual locations: bone, heart, and brain.
• These cases illustrate the diverse clinical manifestations of echinococcosis beyond common organ involvement.
• The study underscores the need for a high index of suspicion for echinococcosis in endemic areas.

Conclusions:

• Atypical echinococcosis requires clinicians to maintain vigilance for hydatid cysts in uncommon sites.
• Early recognition and accurate diagnosis of these rare localizations are essential for effective patient management.
• Echinococcosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in unusual locations within endemic populations.