A case of echinococcosis presenting as a slowly growing isolated neck mass in southern Ethiopia: a case report

Abstract

Echinococcosis, a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus , is a parasitic disease that primarily affects the liver and lungs. However, it can also involve other organs, including the head and neck, although this is extremely rare. We report the case of a 19-year-old male Ethiopian farmer from southern Ethiopia who presented with a painless, gradually enlarging left-sided neck swelling that had persisted for 10 months. Clinical examination revealed a well-defined, non-tender mass measuring 5 cm by 4 cm. Imaging studies, including a computed tomography (CT) scan, identified a large, well-defined cystic lesion in the left neck, initially suspected to be an infected branchial cyst. Surgical exploration and complete excision of the cystic mass were performed, and histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. Postoperatively, the patient was treated with albendazole, with no complications or recurrence observed during a six-month follow-up. This case highlights the importance of considering hydatid disease in the differential diagnosis of neck masses, especially in endemic regions, and underscores the role of imaging and serological tests in confirming the diagnosis. Echinococcosis should be considered even in the absence of typical organ involvement, such as the liver or lungs, in areas with a known prevalence of the disease.