Hydatid disease of the thigh

Clinical Cases 18.01.2007
Scan Image
Section: Musculoskeletal system
Case Type: Clinical Cases
Patient: 30 years, male
Authors: El Kharras A, Bassou D, Darbi A, Chaouir S, Amil T, Benameur M
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Details
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AI Report

Clinical History

The patient, without notable pathological ATCD which consult for a painless tumefaction of the right thigh of progressive appearance over several months.

Imaging Findings

The patient presented with a painless mass of 9 months' duration of the right thigh. The clinical examination finds an increase in volume of the face anterior of the right thigh without vascular character nor sign of nervous compression. A blood cell count revealed elevated eosinocytes. An echogrphy and imagery by magnetic resonance (IRM) examination was performed and revealed cystic mass ranging in size from to 6cm, involving the soft tissues of the right thigh region (Figs 1, 2, 3). Diagnosis was soft tissue echinococcosis. At surgery, part of the mass was excised and pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis.

Discussion

Hydatid disease is an infestation by the larval stages of Echinococcus granulosus. It can be found at various sites in the human body. Hydatid disease most frequently affects the liver and the lung. The muscular localization of echinococcosis is not very frequent, even in the countries of hydatic endémie where its frequency varies between 2,4 and 5,3% of the whole of the cysts hydatic (KH) of the organization. The muscles most often requested are those of the neck, the trunk and the root of the members, in particular lower, because of their vascular richness The clinical picture is not specific, and is characterized by its clinical latency. Most frequently patients with musculoskeletal involvement do not present hepatic or lung infestation. The imagery constitutes the most important shutter. Standard radiography makes it possible to eliminate a calcification from the cysts or an osseous attack. But, it is echography the examination of first intention; it shows in the majority of the cases of the cystic formations multivesicular and seldom of the serpigineuses images of rolling up of membrane which are characteristic. The CT not practised in our patient, makes it possible to specify the number of cyst, their size, their topography and their relationship with the structures of vicinity. However, the IRM comes compensates the TDM thanks to the cuts multiplanaires and the various sequences; it allows a better anatomical study and a precise analysis of the cystic walls as well as relationship with in particular vascular neighbouring structures. In fact, the IRM finds its indication only in the doubtful cases. The patient in this case presented with a multivesicular lesion, which is characteristic of hydatid disease. The principal differential diagnosis are posed with the imagery with KH stage I (synovial cysts and cysts hematic), stage IV (cold abscess or tumour) and stage V (hématome calcified and myosite calcifying). The treatment of the affection is primarily surgical; the access being facilitated by the preoperative study multiplanaire which the IRM offers to us.

Differential Diagnosis List

Muscular hydatid disease

Final Diagnosis

Muscular hydatid disease

Liscense

Figures

Fig. 1: Right thigh ultrasound. Mass hypoechoic and heterogenous with pseudomembranes.

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Fig. 1: Right thigh ultrasound. Mass hypoechoic and heterogenous with pseudomembranes.

Right thigh MRI. Sagittal T2 weighted images: cystic lesion, measuring 6 cm with hyperintense T2 signal.

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Right thigh MRI. Sagittal T2 weighted images: cystic lesion, measuring 6 cm with hyperintense T2 signal.

Fig. 3: Right thigh MRI. Axial T1 weighted: cystic lesion with intermediate T1 signal, with membranes hypointense daughter cysts.

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Fig. 3: Right thigh MRI. Axial T1 weighted: cystic lesion with intermediate T1 signal, with membranes hypointense daughter cysts.