Intramuscular Hydatid Cyst: Report of an Unusual Case

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatid disease, known since Hippocrates’ time, is still a serious trouble. Intramuscular hydatid cyst is extremely rare, at less than 1% of all locations. We describe herein a patient with an intramuscular hydatid cyst that has a very low chance of being experienced outside endemic areas by many physicians.Case Report: A 64-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a six-month history of a painless slow-growing mass in his left hemithorax. Upon physical examination, there was a 6 × 4.5-cm, non-tender, mobile, smoothly outlined mass on the left latissimus dorsi muscle. Radiological assessments revealed two cystic pulmonary nodules in the right inferior lobe and no other organ involvement. The patient underwent a two-step surgery. Diagnosis was verified on histopathological examination. After the operation, medical treatment with albendazole (10 mg/kg/day) for three months was prescribed.Conclusion: Hydatid disease can be found in any skeletal muscle or, indeed, anywhere in the body. Due to its rarity and unusual location, diagnosis can be missed easily in a busy and crowded ER. Hydatid disease should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of all soft tissue lesions, even though they located in the muscle, particularly in endemic zones such as Turkey