Uncommon Locations of Cystic Echinococcosis: A Report of 46 Cases from Southern Iran

Background: Most cases of hydatid cysts form in the liver and lung and other tissues are considered as unusual locations in hydatid cysts. The current study aimed to find out the rate and features of hydatid cysts in uncommon locations in Fars Province, Southern Iran, over a 15-year period.

Methods: The hospital records of patients who underwent surgery for hydatid cysts in university-affiliated hospitals in Fars Province, Southern Iran, from 2004 to 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. For each patient, clinical and demographical data were recorded.

Results: During a 15-year period, a total of 501 patients were surgically treated for hydatid cysts, and out of these, 46 (9.2%) were presented with the unusual locations of hydatid disease. Males constituted 28 (60.9%) of these patients while 18 (39.1%) of the patients were females. The patients' age ranged from 5 to 80 years (mean = 40.49; SD = 20.37). The size of the cysts ranged from 2 to 20 cm (mean = 8.69, SD = 4.59). The most common unusual location for the hydatid cyst was the spleen with 30.4% of cases, followed by the pelvic cavity (15.2%). Out of 46 cases with unusual location of the hydatid cyst, 10 (21.7%) cases had lung, 22 (47.8%) cases had liver, and 5 (10.9%) cases had both liver and lung hydatid cysts, simultaneously with cysts in unusual locations.

Conclusion: In cystic echinococcosis- (CE) endemic areas, hydatid disease can affect any organ, from head to toe, in humans. The disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic entities anywhere in the body.