Solitary Hydatid Cysts of the Body: Analysis of 1303 Cases

Background: This study aimed to investigate solitary hydatid cysts occurring in various anatomical locations.

Methods: A retrospective single-center analysis was conducted on 1303 consecutive cases of solitary hydatid cysts identified across different body regions between 2015 and 2024.

Results: Solitary hydatid cysts accounted for 67.7% (1303/1926) of all treated cases. Among the 1303 patients, 609 (46.7%) were male and 694 (53.3%) were female. The mean age was 35.3 ± 20.4 years, with a range from 2 to 87 years. Among pediatric cases, 153 (43.6%) were female and 198 (56.4%) were male, whereas among adults, 541 (56.8%) were female and 411 (43.2%) were male (P < .01). Cyst localization was predominantly hepatic (969 cases, 74.3%), followed by pulmonary (250 cases, 19.1%). Other sites included the spleen (21 cases, 1.6%), muscle tissue (14 cases, 1.1%), kidneys (11 cases, 0.8%), bones (10 cases, 0.8%), intracranial areas (8 cases, 0.6%), cardiac regions (6 cases, 0.5%), mediastinum (3 cases, 0.2%), pelvic space (3 cases, 0.2%), subcutaneous and soft tissue (3 cases, 0.2%), omentum (3 cases, 0.2%), diaphragm (1 case, 0.1%), and pancreas (1 case, 0.1%). The mean diameter of hydatid cysts was 72.5 ± 33.2 mm (range: 10-230 mm). Surgical intervention was the primary treatment across all cases; however, medical therapy was more frequently selected for cysts located in the liver and spleen than in other anatomical regions.

Conclusion: Solitary hydatid cysts typically affect the liver and lungs but may arise in any location. Surgery remains the primary treatment across all sites.

Cite this article as: Aydın Y, Ulaş AB, Eren S, et al. Solitary hydatid cysts of the body: analysis of 1303 cases. Eurasian J Med. 2025, 57(4), 1086, doi:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251086.