Hydatidosis of the pelvis: a case report with a 25-year follow-up

INTRODUCTION: Hydatid disease involves mainly the liver (66% of the cases) and the lungs (22%), with skeletal involvement being reported in 0.5-2.5% of cases. CASE REPORT: Herein is reported a case of hydatidosis of the hip and pelvis with a follow-up of 25 years. The diagnosis was first done in April 1975 following the local excision of a single hydatid cyst from the ischium of a 25-year-old man complaining of increasing pain and swelling of the left thigh. Histology confirmed hydatid disease of the bone. Local excision was repeated four more times for recurrence of the hydatid cysts in the bone or soft tissues. Antiparasitic medical therapy (albendazole 10 mg/kg daily) was attempted in 1991 but suspended after 2 days due to systemic adverse effects (abdominal pain, diarrhea). The patient had a 12-year relapse-free period with complete absence of any symptoms. CONCLUSION: Such a long symptom-free period confirms that it is not possible to consider bone hydatidosis as being completely healed without the confirmation of a long term follow-up.