Unexpected discovery of a thyroid hydatid cyst during pathological examination: a case report

J Med Case Rep. 2024 Nov 26;18(1):568. doi: 10.1186/s13256-024-04807-6.

Abstract

Background: Hydatid disease, a parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus, infrequently involves the thyroid gland, whether through direct invasion or hematogenous spread.

Case presentation: We report the case of a 62-year-old female patient from Morocco who presented with an anterior cervical mass, initially suspected to be a goiter. A histopathological evaluation of the thyroidectomy specimen identified the presence of a hydatid cyst. A comprehensive review of the literature is also included.

Conclusion: Given that Morocco is an endemic region for hydatid disease, clinicians should consider this parasitic infection in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cystic lesions, recognizing the clinical and laboratory indicators of the disease.

Keywords: Anatomical pathology; Diagnosis; Hydatid cyst; Thyroid.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Albendazole / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Echinococcosis* / diagnosis
  • Echinococcosis* / surgery
  • Echinococcus granulosus / isolation & purification
  • Female
  • Goiter / diagnosis
  • Goiter / pathology
  • Goiter / surgery
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Morocco
  • Thyroid Diseases / diagnosis
  • Thyroid Diseases / parasitology
  • Thyroid Diseases / pathology
  • Thyroid Diseases / surgery
  • Thyroid Gland / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Gland / parasitology
  • Thyroid Gland / pathology
  • Thyroid Gland / surgery
  • Thyroidectomy*

Substances

  • Albendazole