Acute abdomen due to traumatic rupture of a hydatid cyst

Del Puerto Gala MJ, Santana Cornejo E

Hydatidosis is a common disease in Spain; nevertheless, it

usually shows no symptoms until its size or occupying effect

produce symptoms. On many occasions, the hydatid cyst appears

to us by chance in x-ray or ultrasound exams which have been carried

out for other reasons. The cyst can rupture spontaneously or as

a result of some trauma, causing painful symptoms and even anahylactic

shock. In this study we are presenting a case of acute abdomen

as a result of the traumatic rupture of the hydatid cyst in the liver. The

patient is a young man of 16 years of age, who is suffering from slight

abdominal contusion and comes to the emergency department for this

reason. In conclusion, we should include the traumatic rupture of a hydatid

cyst among the less common causes of acute abdomen following

abdominal contusion, given how common parasitism in Spain.

The clinical diagnosis requires a combination of clinical information

and different imaging methods, the most important being the abdominal

ultrasound.

Del Puerto Gala MJ, Santana Cornejo E