Hydatid cyst of the calf presenting as painless mass: A case report

BACKGROUND: Hydatid disease is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted to the human by ingesting the eggs of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, it most commonly affects the liver but every organ could be affected, musculoskeletal system involvement occurs in 0.5–4% of patients. Most patients present as soft tissue mass in the affected muscle. Preoperative diagnosis usually done radiologically by ultrasound or MRI examination. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a 60-year-old lady presented with painless mass in the right calf for 2 years. The mass was soft, non-tender, mobile from side to side. Ultrasound of the mass showed cystic lesion that contained multiple small cysts inside, and the diagnosis of hydatid disease was made before surgery. During surgery and after opening the mass the lesion appeared to be hydatid cyst containing innumerable daughter cysts. Complete evacuation of the all the daughter cysts done. The patient discharged next day with no postoperative complications. The patient received postoperative albendazole therapy for 2 months and follow up done 6 months after surgery with no complications. CONCLUSION: Hydatid disease should be thought when patients present with mass lesion in any part of the body especially in endemic areas. The most important step in the diagnosis is to exclude the presence of other cysts in other parts of the body.