Liver Hydatid Cyst Presenting as a Cystocutaneous Fistula in a 6-Year-Old Child
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70844/jmhrp.2.1.33Keywords:
Hydatid cyst, Cystic echinococcosis, Echinococcus granulosus, Cystocutaneous fistula, Pediatric hydatid disease, Abdominal wall hydatid cyst, Zoonotic parasitic infection, Rare presentation, Albendazole therapy, Surgical ectocystectomy, Endemic parasitic diseases, Public healthAbstract
Hydatid disease, or cystic echinococcosis, is a zoonotic parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. While the liver and lungs are the most commonly affected organs, hydatid cysts in atypical locations such as the abdominal wall are rare and often misdiagnosed. This case report describes a six-year-old male from Alsahol, Ibb, Yemen, presenting with a painless epigastric mass persisting for three weeks. Initial imaging suggested an abdominal wall abscess, but further investigation with Computed Tomography (CT) revealed hydatid disease complicated by fistula formation. The patient was treated with albendazole preoperatively and scheduled for surgical intervention. This case emphasizes the importance of high clinical suspicion, detailed imaging, and a multidisciplinary approach to manage rare presentations of hydatid disease in endemic regions.