Hydatid Disease in a Patient with Strangulated Volvulus of the Transverse Colon

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatidosis is a worldwide distribution zoonosis with high incidence in Argentina, Uruguay, Australia, Greece and Portugal. Given the scarce symptoms usually produced by hydatid disease, its diagnosis is made inadvertently by fortuitous radiological studies or during laparotomy for other causes. On the other hand, transverse colon volvulus is a rare event in the world population.

Objective: To analyze, based on the related literature, the case of a patient with both entities simultaneously.

Clinical case: A 64-year-old male patient with poor living conditions came to the medical office due to a clinical picture of mechanical intestinal obstruction. Preoperative studies show a hydatid cyst in the right lung. During the operative act, another hydatid cyst is found in the left lobe of the liver, apart from the transverse colon volvulus due to the occlusion.

Conclusions: Rarely do two infrequent medical conditions coincide in the same patient. Both entities pose a therapeutic challenge when they are approached in emergency situations, as they have been reported here. In endemic areas, a high clinical suspicion must be considered, in order to obtain an adequate diagnosis and be able to offer timely management. Surgery, in the largest proportion of patients, is a priority.

Keywords: hydatid cyst; hydatidosis; echinococcosis; transverse colon volvulus; colon volvulus.