Primary Hydatid Cyst of the Axillary Region: A Case Report

Abstract

Introduction. Hydatid disease is a disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus is the most common Echinococcus species affecting human. It may affect any organ and tissue in the body, most in the liver and lung. Disease is endemic in some regions of the world, and is common in Iran. Primary hydatid cyst of the axillary region is an unusual and rare localization of hydatid disease. So far, only sixteen cases have been published in the all medical literature. Case Report. Herein, we present a 33-year-old woman because of a mass in the axillary region of four months duration. Axillary ultrasonography showed a thick wall cystic lesion. No abnormality was found in mammographic examination of either breast, or in abdominal ultrasonography and chest X-ray. The mass was excised for pathological examination that showed a typical laminated membrane of hydatid cyst. Postoperative IgG- ELISA serology in this case was negative. Based on pathology an axillary hydatid cyst was diagnosed. Conclusion. Hydatid cyst should be considered in endemic areas in patients presenting with a soft tissue mass in the axillary region.

Uncommon localizations of hydatid cyst. Review of the literature

“…The analysis of anatomic data shows the main implication of the thigh (7-16) and then of the glutei (5,(17)(18)(19), axilla (20)(21)(22), back (23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34), head/neck (26,(35)(36)(37)(38)(39), and limbs (12,37). Skin trauma or bee sting or major blood flux of these anatomical sites can justify this localization (28).…”

“…US could be identified as gold standard. WHO classification (20,23) was made in order to classify liver disease; only in three cases it was suggested for uncommon localizations and could be useful to standardize it in every possible localization.…”

Hydatid cysts of lung and axillary region mimic lung metastasis: A case repor

“…Ultrasonography can also be used for the screening of the axillary cysts due to its high sensitivity and low cost, but histopathological examination is mostly the accurate and definitive way of hydatid disease diagnosis. 3 In our patient, it was not possible to differentiate hydatid cyst by USG and CT; but we had to suspect it. For this reason, it would be better to perform a biopsy in line with this suspicion.…”

Musculoskeletal Echinococcus infection as a rare first presentation of hydatid disease: case report

“…Ultrasonography ( USG ) is a very useful diagnostic imaging tool for hydatid disease. Not only does it detect liver cysts but it also allows the classification and staging of liver hydatid disease [ 15 , 16 ]. Nevertheless, we strongly believe the sensitivity of USG for floating membranes, daughter cysts, and hydatid sand in purely cystic lesions make it very ideal in the initial workup of even uncommon localizations.…”