Renal hydatid cyst or a simple cyst? Report of a rare case

Abstract

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection mainly caused by Echinococcus granulosus and is endemic in many parts of the world. Although hydatid disease can be found anywhere in the human body, the liver and lungs are the most commonly involved organs. Urinary tract involvement has been seen in about 2% - 4% of the cases; however, the isolated renal cyst is extremely rare. Here, we report a 5-year-old boy with an isolated huge renal hydatid cyst with no scolices or hooklets in aspirated fluid mimicking a simple renal cyst. The clinicians and radiologists should consider hydatid disease in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions found in any part of the body especially in endemic countries since earlier diagnosis is crucial for appropriate treatment.