Bone versus soft tissue hydatid disease: a retrospective comparative cohort study

Area of Science:

• Medical research
• Parasitology
• Surgical pathology

Background:

• Musculoskeletal hydatid disease is rare and can be mistaken for tumors.
• Limited comparative data exists for bone versus soft tissue hydatid disease.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare demographic, laboratory, and surgical outcomes of bone and soft tissue hydatid disease.
• To identify differences in presentation, complications, and recurrence rates.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 64 patients with confirmed musculoskeletal hydatid disease (26 bone, 38 soft tissue).
• Comparison of demographics, symptoms, inflammatory markers (WBC, ESR, CRP), eosinophil count, Eosinophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (ELR), hemagglutination tests, cyst morphology, complications, organ involvement, and recurrence.
• Statistical analysis using appropriate parametric/non-parametric and categorical tests.

Main Results:

• Bone hydatid disease predominantly presented with pain, while soft tissue disease often showed isolated swelling.
• Significantly higher eosinophil counts and ELR were observed in bone hydatid disease.
• Bone involvement had higher rates of intraoperative rupture, concomitant organ involvement, and recurrence compared to soft tissue disease.

Conclusions:

• Bone hydatid disease exhibits a more aggressive clinical course with increased risks of rupture, recurrence, and organ involvement.
• Elevated eosinophil count and ELR at presentation may suggest bone involvement.
• Further prospective studies are needed to determine independent predictors of recurrence.