Hydatid cyst of the neck. A case report and literature review

Abstract Echinococcosis or hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus . It has been recognized by humans for centuries, as it was described by Hippocrates more than two thousand years as a “fluid-filled liver”, and the famous Arabian physician Al-Rahzes described it, but it took till the 17th century when Francesco Redi illustrated that the hydatid cysts of echinococcosis were of animal origin. Hydatid disease is endemic in the Middle East, India, Africa, South America, New Zealand, Australia, Turkey and Southern Europe keeping in mind that it can occur also in non-endemic countries because of the upsurge of emigration and trade. The primary hosts are dogs. Intermediate hosts are sheep, cattle, horses and occasionally man. Hydatid cyst develops most frequently in the liver (65%), the lungs (25%), and the remaining 10% occurs in muscle, spleen, bones, kidneys, brain, eye, heart, and pancreas. Multiorgan involvement is seen in 20–30% of the cases with involvement of the liver in all cases. Occurrence of hydatid cyst is extremely rare in the head and neck region even in geographical areas where echinococcal infestation is frequent. Only a few cases of hydatid cyst located in head and neck have been reported in the literature. We will present our experience in treating a case of hydatid cyst located in the neck area, which is considered one of the few cases published due to the relative rarity of the disease in the fore mentioned anatomical location.