Uncommon locations of hydatid cyst

Objective: To document the hydatid cyst cases in the endemic Çukurova region of Turkey, by their involvement sites in the body, and discuss the clinical and morphological features of the cases with rare localization. Methods: Archival materials of 153 hydatid cyst cases that were diagnosed in 2 different medical centers in Adana, Turkey (Çukurova region) between the years 2000-2006 were included in the study. Cases with rare localizations were reevaluated in terms of clinical and laboratory findings, and histopathological features. Involvement sites of the cases were documented, and cases with rare localizations are discussed. Results: The liver was the most common localization with 63 cases followed by lungs with 54 cases. Uncommon locations were spleen (n=4), bone (n=3), intraarterial (n=1), ovary (n=1), adrenal (n=1), heart (n=1), mesenteric (n=2), retroperitoneal (n=2), subcutaneous tissue (n=4), breast (n=3), intramuscular tissue (n=4). Conclusion: The diagnosis of hydatic cyst should be considered in patients with a cystic mass, who live or have lived in a geographic region that has a high risk for Echinococcus granulosus, or visited an endemic area.