PRIMARY PERITONEAL HYDATIDOSIS: A RARE PRESENTATION OF COMMON DISEASE

Abstract

Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is endemic in many regions of the world. The major primary site for the disease in adults is the liver and the secondary site are the lungs. Secondary peritoneal cysts are relatively common and expected to occur after rupture of the primary hepatic hydatid cyst. Primary peritoneal hydatid cyst disease without any other organ involvement has been previously reported, and yet it is still considered rare (less than 2%) even in endemic areas. A case of a large primary peritoneal hydatid multicystic lesion without other organ involvement in a 36-year-old female is presented and discussed. The disease was very extensive and surgical intervention was done with complete omentectomy and peritoneal cyst deroofing with hypertonic saline lavage. The patient was then treated with albendazole. The case emphasizes the importance of hydatid disease being included in the differential diagnosis of any cyst in the abdominal cavity for patients living or coming from an area of endemic hydatid disease even without liver or lung involvement. It can also be stated that disease recurrence also might occur even after surgery