Management of a hepatic hydatid cyst ruptured into the retroperitoneum and the abdominal wall muscles: A case report

Introduction. Hydatid disease is a zoonosis caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. The liver is the most commonly involved organ, followed by lungs. The most common complications of hepatic hydatid cyst are rupture into the biliary tract and secondary bacterial infection. However, rupture into the retroperitoneum and the abdominal wall muscles is exceptional. Case presentation. We describe an unusual case of a 27-year-old female who was referred to our department for right flank pain for four months. Abdominal ultrasound and CT scan revealed a huge hydatid cyst in liver segment VI fistulizing to the retroperitoneum and the lateral and posterior abdominal wall muscles, causing anterior displacement of the right kidney, with two other cysts in segment II and VIII. Surgery was performed associated with perioperative antiparasitic chemotherapy. The cysts were unroofed and a resection of the protruding domes was performed. The hydatid material in the retroperitoneum and the muscles were completely evacuated by aspiration. Follow-up showed no recurrence. Discussion. Hepatic hydatid cyst rupture usually occurs into biliary tract, pleural cavity, bronchial tree and intraperitoneal cavity. Rupture into the retroperitoneum and the lateral and posterior abdominal wall muscles is exceptional. To our knowledge, this complication has never been documented before. The hydatid disease may involve insidiously for a long time to lead to such a complication. Surgery was inevitable in our case. It allowed to treat both the hydatid cyst and its complication. Conclusions. A rupture into the retroperitoneum and the abdominal wall muscles as a complication of a liver hydatid cyst is exceptional. In this presentation, we noticed that hydatid cysts can reach an extremely large size while remaining for a long time asymptomatic. We aim to highlight the significance of preventive measures and public health education to fight against the hydatid disease in endemic areas.