A hydatic cyst of the appendix mimicking a uterine lateral mass: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundHydatic cyst is a zoonotic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It is a public health problem in Tunisia and remains endemic. It occurs in intra-abdominal organs in 10–15% of the cases, particularly in the liver representing the most common affected organ. The aim of the case is to highlight the scarcity of this appendicle origin and to consider it among the differential diagnosis of any intra-abdominal cystic lesion.Case presentationA 45-year-old Tunisian woman, with no past medical history, was admitted for a pelvic cystic mass. The clinical manifestation as well as the imaging findings were toward a lateral uterine mass. Our patient underwent appendectomy and resection of the mass. The patient had no recurrence at 2 years of follow-up.ConclusionsAn extrahepatic hydatid cyst should be recognized among the differential diagnosis of any intra-abdominal cystic lesion. Treatment should be based on surgical excision. Due to the risk of recurrence, a close follow-up is mandatory.

A Case Report of an Appendicitis and Parasitosis

“…The location in the appendix is very seldom, with scolex and hooklets found in the lumen of the appendix (29), and is often associated with the hydatid disease of the other organs (30). Occasionally, it seems to be a uterus lateral mass (31). Surgery is the treatment of choice with albendazole for several months.…”