Unusual Location of Hydatid Cysts in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Objective/Aims: To emphasize the importance of diagnosis and treatment of unusually localized hydatid cysts in pediatric cases. Methods: Hydatid cyst patients of two departments were listed who had undergone surgery between January 2001 and December 2008. Of the 7 pediatric patients, 3 were chosen as the ones with unusual localization. Cyst removal with Dowling’s technique was performed in 2 cases and total removal of the cyst wall was achieved after cyst aspiration in the other patient. Results: Two patients did not show any signs of recurrence. Some of the cranial multiple cysts of the patient who had undergone her first surgery in another clinic with cyst rupture were successfully removed in our clinic. Six months later, she was admitted with spinal seedings. Conclusion: Hydatid cyst removal without rupture should be the surgical goal in all cases. Radiological evaluation is of utmost importance for differential diagnosis. When a cystic lesion is found in the central nervous system on radiological evaluation, hydatid disease must be considered in countries where the disease is endemic and surgery is to be planned emergently especially for pediatric cases with increased intracranial pressure. The study focuses on the strategy for the correct diagnosis and the appropriate treatment of unusually localized hydatid cysts.

Primary cervical hydatid cyst: a rare occurrence

“…A systemic spread will occur if the larva passes through the capillary sieve. Hydatid cyst, therefore develops most frequently in the liver (65%), the lungs (25%), out of remaining 10% occurs in muscle, spleen, bones, kidneys, brain, eye, heart, and pancreas [5-8]. Involvement of hydatid cyst is extremely rare in head and neck region even in geographical areas where ecchinococcal infestation is frequent.…”

Hydatid cyst within a choledochal cyst

“…have been described in children. [1234] Most of the cases of HC are asymptomatic. However when symptomatic, the usual presentation is with pain in right hypochondrium with obstructive jaundice due to obstruction of the biliary tree.…”

“…It commonly involves the liver and lung, but other uncommon locations have been described in the literature. [1] Association of HC within a choledochal cyst is extremely rare and has been reported only twice before in the available English literature.…”

Hydatid cyst of head of pancreas mimicking choledochal cyst

“…Paediatric HC disease commonly involves the lung and liver but unusual locations have been described in the children 1. Five cases of pancreatic HC have been reported in paediatric population 2–4.…”