Primary giant hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum: Diagnosis and therapeutic approaches

Introduction and importance: Primary hydatid cyst of the retroperitoneum is an exceedingly rare manifestation of hydatid disease. Diagnosis proves challenging due to nonspecific symptoms, and the condition is typically not suspected when facing a retroperitoneal cystic mass, necessitating awareness among clinicians and surgeons, particularly in endemic regions.

Case presentation: A 45-year-old male with a three-month history of progressive abdominal enlargement and pain. Living in a rural area, he exhibited a 30 cm, well-defined retroperitoneal cyst, with no guarding confirmed by CT-scan, with characteristic daughter cysts. The diagnosis of primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst was supported by positive hydatid serology and eosinophilia. Surgical intervention was crucial, and a complete pericystectomy, with 4 cm of pericyst on the aorta due to safety concerns, was performed after three months of preoperative albendazole-based treatment. The postoperative course was uneventful, and a two-year follow-up revealed no recurrence.

Clinical discussion: The prevalence of hydatid disease in North Africa is high, yet retroperitoneal cases are rare. The difficulty to diagnosis retroperitoneal masses, underscores the importance of precise patient evaluation and detailed imaging analysis. Percutaneous puncture is contraindicated due to the risk of dissemination, highlighting even more the significance of accurate preoperative diagnosis. Surgery, coupled with Albendazole treatment, remains the gold-standard, associated with meticulous intraoperative precautions to prevent disease dissemination.

Conclusion: Primary retroperitoneal hydatid cyst is rare. Diagnosis is difficult. Precise determination of patient's background and detailed analysis of imaging findings are mandatory. Percutaneous puncture is forbidden as it leads to disease spreading or even anaphylactic shock. Surgical excision is the gold-standard.