Unusual primary hydatid cysts of the body without liver and lung involvement

The aim of this study was to investigate hydatid cysts observed in unusual localizations of the body without liver and lung involvement. A single-center retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2024, evaluating a total of 173 cases of hydatid cysts located in uncommon regions of the body, excluding liver and lung involvement. Unusual hydatid cysts accounted for 4.8% (173/3623) of all hydatid cysts. Among the cases, 89 (51.4%) were female and 84 (48.6%) were male. The cohort included 49 children (≤ 18 years, 28.3%) and 124 adults (> 18 years, 71.7%), with a mean age of 33.7 ± 20.2 years (range: 5-85 years). The distribution of hydatid cysts included the spleen in 34 cases (19.7%), kidney in 27 (15.6%), intracranial in 24 (13.9%), muscle in 23 (13.3%), bone in 15 (8.7%), mediastinum in 10 (5.8%), pelvic space in 9 (5.2%), cardiac in 8 (4.6%), subcutaneous and soft tissue in 6 (3.5%), omentum in 6 (3.5%), ovarian fossa in 3 (1.7%), diaphragm in 3 (1.7%), pancreas in 3 (1.7%), uterine wall in 1 (0.6%), retroperitoneal space in 1 (0.6%), nasal cavity in 1 (0.6%), and thyroid in 1 (0.6%). Primary surgical treatment was applied to 144 cases (83.2%). Primary hydatid cysts are less common in other parts of the body without involvement of the liver and lungs. Surgical resection remains the preferred treatment method for these cases, where diagnosis can be challenging.