Hydatid cystic disease: Masquerading as a space occupying lesion in cirrhotic liver

Abstract

Hydatid disease, due to Echinococcus granulosus, is an endemic parasitic disease prevalent all over the world, especially in Mediterranean countries. Differentiating hydatid cysts from other hepatic cysts are at times clinically challenging. Here, we present an unusual case of hepatic hydatid cyst mimicking malignancy in a 50-year-old female patient with ascites and hepatitis C virus-related liver cirrhosis. We know that hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common cause of a space-occupying lesion in a cirrhotic liver. This case report is of significance as hepatic hydatid disease despite being a frequent occurrence otherwise, is unusual in cirrhosis and might get unrecognized.

Keywords

• hydatid disease
• space occupying lesion
• cirrhosis