Title: Soft tissue hydatid disease in eight patients at a Moroccan tertiary hospital Clinical presentation, diagnostic challenges and surgical outcomes
Authors: YACINE HAMID-ALLAH, MEHDI LAHLALI, MOHAMMED BENSAKA, HATIM ABID, MOHAMMED EL IDRISSI, ABDELMAJID EL MRINI
Volume: 10
Issue: 9
Pages: 145-149
Publication Date: 2026/09/28
Abstract:
Background: Soft tissue cystic echinococcosis is an uncommon cause of a slowly enlarging limb mass. Its nonspecific presentation and potentially negative serology can delay diagnosis. This study describes eight surgically treated cases from an endemic setting. Materials and methods: A retrospective descriptive synthesis was conducted of eight histologically confirmed cases reported over five years in the Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department of Hassan II University Hospital, Fez, Morocco. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, imaging, treatment and outcomes were extracted from the original medical thesis. Analyses were descriptive. Results: Six patients were women and two were men; mean age was 39.25 years (range 21-64). Six patients originated from rural areas. Seven lesions involved the thigh or hip region and one the forearm. Mean symptom duration was 24.4 months. All patients underwent ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging. Indirect hemagglutination was negative in all seven tested patients. One lesion was initially interpreted on MRI as a tuberculous cold abscess. All patients underwent excision; one ruptured cyst was documented. Adjunctive medical treatment was reported in two patients, for recurrent disease and cyst rupture. No postoperative recurrence was reported over a mean follow-up of 27.5 months (range 12-60). Conclusion: Hydatid disease should be considered when assessing a cystic soft tissue mass in an endemic region despite negative serology. Imaging supports diagnosis and operative planning. Surgical outcomes were favorable, but the small cohort, incomplete reporting and variable follow-up preclude conclusions about comparative treatment efficacy or long-term cure.