[Hydatid cyst of soft tissues. Radiological aspects]

Hydatid disease of the soft tissues is rare, with a frequency between 2.4 and 5.3% of all sites of hydatid disease. We report a retrospective study of 6 cases of hydatid cyst of soft tissues. The mean age of our patients was 36 years (range: 25 and 63 years) and the sex-ratio was 5 females to 1 male. The clinical symptoms consisted in a mass which had been present for a mean of 12 months. Plain X-rays showed a water density mass with no associated bone lesions. Ultrasonography and computed tomography defined the features of the hydatid cysts, which were situated in muscle in 5 cases and in the subcutaneous tissue in 1 case. Their dimensions varied between 1.5 and 25 cm. All types of Gharbi's classification were observed. Secondary hydatid cysts outside of the soft tissues were observed in 2 patients. Medical imaging, essentially ultrasonography, was suggestive of the diagnosis. Computed tomography provided more precise information concerning the number, site and morphology of the lesions and was able to eliminate neoplastic disease.