Primary peritoneal hydatidosis in a 76-year-old farmer: An unusual form of a common disease

Abstract

A 76-year-old farmer presented at our emergency unit with a history of gradual swelling of abdomen without fever, nausea, or urticaria. On examination there was symmetrical enlargement of abdomen with fluid thrill. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan showed that the entire peritoneal cavity was distended and occupied by multiloculated noncalcified content of mixed attenuations. Diagnosis of peritoneal seeding of hydatid cyst was made. At laparotomy, about 25 l of daughter cysts and a membrane was found in the peritoneal cavity without other organ involvement. Postoperative period was uneventful.

Keywords

• Echinococcosis
• hydatid cyst
• primary peritoneal hydatidosis