A rare mass in the neck region: Primary hydatid cyst

Abstract

Hydatid disease is a common parasitic infestation caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It is a serious health problem most frequently encountered in rural areas where domestic livestock- raising is common. Humans can be infected accidentally through oral ingestion of tapeworm eggs with contaminated water, food, and green vegetables or direct contact with host. It affects both animals and humans. Complete surgical excision is the gold standard treatment for hydatid cyst. Postoperative medical treatment with antihelminthic drugs (benzimidazole derivatives) are frequently combined with surgical treatment to prevent recurrence of disease and high-risk contamination. Although hydatid cysts usually involve in liver and lungs, less frequently may occur in any area of the body. A hydatid cyst occurrence in the head and neck area is extremely rare. So this disease does not usually come to mind. Therefore in this case, we wish to draw attention to possibility of the hydatid disease in the neck. For this reason, we present an unusual case of primary hydatid cyst located in the neck region in a 42-year-old male patient, who engaged in livestock.

Keywords

• hydatid cyst
• e. granulosus
• neck
• mass