Peritoneal hydatidosis: A rare form of a common disease
A 57-year-old nonalcoholic, nondiabetic Muslim male presented with progressively increasing abdominal distension [] for 3 months prior to admission along with weight loss and anorexia. On examination, he was vitally stable with pale pallor. Abdominal examination revealed a soft mass of 10 × 8 cm which was tender, mobile, and cystic in consistency and was palpable in the epigastrium and right hypochondrium. Soft irregular masses were also felt in the umbilical and hypogastric region. There was presence of fluid thrill but no shifting dullness or organomegaly could be elicited. Hematological tests showed a slight anemia and a mild increase in the eosinophil count (3%). All other laboratory tests including liver function tests were within normal limits except for a positive test for antibodies against E. granulosus. The contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) scan of the abdomen revealed multiple well-defined septate cysts throughout the abdomen []. Ultrasonography of the abdomen showed a normal liver with multiple intraperitoneal cysts []. There was no contrast enhancement and pericystic invasion of cysts. No other lesion was demonstrable in any organ system. The patient underwent operation. Operative findings included multiple hydatid cysts [] of about 1–2 cm in diameter in the whole abdominal and pelvic cavity. The mother cyst was seen in the transverse colon. Postoperatively, he received praziquantel and albendazole for 2 weeks and albendazole was continued for 6 months. On 1-year follow-up, he was fine without any sequelae.