Journal de cytologie et d'histologie

Primary Hydatid Cyst of Soft Tissues: Description of 6 Cases

Abstract

Derqaoui S, Irahim M, EL Ouazzani H, Zouaidia F, Jahid A, Bernoussi Z and Znati K

Background: Hydatid cyst (HD) is a major zoonotic infection common in Morocco. The musculoskeletal involvement is rare.
Material and methods: A retrospective study was conducted in the Department of pathology at Ibn Sina teaching Hospital in Rabat, Morocco. It compiled 6 cases of primary HD of the soft tissues.
Result: The age of the patients ranged from 25 to 70 years. The HD was found in the psoas muscle (4 cases) and in the thigh (2 patients). The average size of the cysts was 12 cm. All patients undergone surgical treatment and chemotherapy using albendazole. Histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis. Recurrence was observed in one patient.
Discussion: HD is a parasitic disease commonly involving lungs and the liver. The soft tissue’s involvement is rare (0.5 to 4.7%). The imaging methods used for diagnosis and evaluation of HD are ultrasonography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. The diagnosis of hydatid cyst is confirmed by histology which shows three layers of hydatid cyst. The inner germinal one, the middle laminated layer and the pericyst associated to a surrounding host reaction. The excision of the cyst is the gold standard treatment.
Conclusion: HD should be considered in intramuscular cystic mass. The present study emphasized the importance of its inclusion in the differential diagnosis of soft tissue masses.