Primary Retroperitoneal Hydatid Cyst in a Pediatric Patient: A Report of a Rare Case

TL;DR

A rare case of a hydatid cyst in a child's retroperitoneum is reported, emphasizing the need for careful diagnosis and surgical care in areas where this disease is common.

Contribution

This report adds a rare pediatric case of retroperitoneal hydatid cyst to the medical literature and emphasizes diagnostic and surgical considerations.

Findings

A 13-year-old boy presented with a retroperitoneal hydatid cyst confirmed by CT scan.

Complete surgical excision via extraperitoneal lumbotomy was performed successfully.

The case underscores the importance of considering hydatid disease in retroperitoneal masses in endemic regions.

Abstract

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus; it can involve any organ. Retroperitoneal localization is exceptionally rare and often presents with nonspecific symptoms, which may delay diagnosis and mimic other retroperitoneal cystic masses. Therefore, in endemic settings, hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any retroperitoneal mass. We report a 13-year-old boy who presented with an isolated, painless right flank mass. Non-contrast abdominal CT showed a well-defined, right subhepatic retroperitoneal cystic. The patient underwent complete surgical excision via an extraperitoneal lumbotomy.

This case highlights the importance of maintaining clinical suspicion for hydatid disease when evaluating retroperitoneal cystic masses in endemic areas and supports careful surgical management to prevent intraoperative dissemination.

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