Recurrent Giant Hydatid Cyst in the Left Axilla: A Case Report

Introduction: Hydatid disease in the musculature of the axillary area has scarcely been reported before. Also, the overall involvement of muscles with this tapeworm infection is not prevalent. The infection is associated with contact of human beings and livestock. It can subsequently involve many different organs in the body, mostly liver and lungs. Case Report: We report a case of a hydatid disease, affecting the axillary region of a 30-year-old man. He was diagnosed with a similar hydatid cyst 4 years ago in the same Abbas Alibakhshi1, Mehrdad Larry2 Affiliations: 1MD, General Surgery Department, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , 2MD-MPH, General Surgery Department, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , mehrdad. [email protected] Corresponding Author: Mehrdad Larry, MD-MPH, General Surgery Department, Vali-Asr Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , 1419733141.; Ph: (+9821)61192371; Email: [email protected]; Fax: (+9821)66581529 Received: 17 December 2015 Accepted: 31 December 2015 Published: ************ location and undergone surgery; but it had gradually augmented in the same place since then. He also had a history of cerebral hydatid disease (CHD) when he was 9 years old which was surgically removed; but it was not documented. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) reinforced the diagnosis, showing a large multicystic mass in inferior tip of the left scapula and in the dorsal thoracic muscles invading the deltoid, infraspinatous, teres major and teres minor muscles. No pulmonary or hepatic involvement was seen. The patient was given three months of albendazole preoperatively and en bloc resection without destroying the cyst wall was performed. Adjunctive albendazole chemotherapy (15 mg/ kg/day) was prescribed for three months. Conclusion: Clinical and radiological suspicion to hydatid disease in endemic areas is important for the diagnosis of the disease. Providing information for people on how the disease is transmitted and improving health care for prevention of the disease is of utmost importance.