Role of Imaging in the Diagnosis of Isolated Renal Echinococcosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus tapeworm. The most common organs involved are liver, lungs and spleen. Primary renal echinococcosis is a very rare manifestation of hydatid disease. Clinical manifestations in primary renal echinococcosis are variable and can have varied symptomatologies which are non specific. A 62-year-old female patient presented with abdominal fullness since six months, palpable mass and left flank pain since three months. On imaging, a large multiloculated cyst and multiple peripherally situated daughter cysts involving the middle and lower pole of left kidney with gross dilatation of upper pole calyx with severe cortical thinning was noted. It usually presents as a cystic renal mass on imaging and often gets misdiagnosed and operated as a cystic renal malignancy. Hence, radiological imaging plays an important role and care should be taken when dealing with a cystic renal mass to avoid unnecessary nephrectomies.