Hydatid cyst of the ovary - a very rare type of cystic ovarian lesion: A case report

Background: Hydatid disease is a zoonotic condition caused by the adult or the larval stages of tapeworms belonging to the species Echinococcus granulosus or less commonly Echinococcus multilocularis. The presentation depends on the site of involvement. Many cases are not symptomatic and may be discovered accidentally. Hydatid cyst of the ovary is an extremely rare presentation and accounts for 0.2-1% of the diagnosed cases. It may be mistaken for ovarian cysts or cystic tumors of the ovary.

Case presentation: An 18-year-old woman complained of episodes of lower abdominal pain and frequent urination for the last 3 months. During abdominal examination, there was deep tenderness in the supra-pubic region with no palpable organs or masses. Ultrasound of the abdomen showed evidence of cystic left adnexal lesions. A computerized tomography scan of the abdomen revealed evidence of cystic left adnexal lesion with no enhancement after contrast injection. Laparoscopy was performed and there was evidence of a hydatid cyst of the left ovary. The cyst was extracted from the cavity using a retrieval bag. Anthelmintic medications were prescribed for 3 months, and follow-up ultrasound after 6 months was normal.

Conclusion: A high index of suspicion is required for the diagnosis, particularly in the presence of any cystic lesion, in any part of the world. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test may be informative in the active stages of the disease. Laparoscopic management involves cyst excision. Anthelmintic drugs are required after surgery to decrease the recurrence rate.