Traumatic Intraperitoneal Rupture of a Liver Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report

Traumatic rupture of an Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cyst in the liver is a rare event. We present the case of an 11-year-old male who sustained a motor vehicle accident and was diagnosed with an intraperitoneal ruptured liver hydatid cyst, identified via CT scan and excised during exploratory laparotomy. Echinococcosis, or hydatid disease, is a parasitic infestation caused by the ingestion of Echinococcus eggs, primarily transmitted through dog feces. This infection leads to cystic lesions, known as hydatids, most frequently involving the liver (50–77 %) and lungs (15–47 %) [1, 2]. Echinococcus granulosus is particularly endemic in cattle-rearing regions of the Middle East. Infected patients often present with vague abdominal pain due to mass effect or spontaneous cyst rupture. However, traumatic rupture of hydatid cysts remains exceptionally rare. This case illustrates the traumatic rupture of a large liver hydatid cyst in an 11-year-old following a motor vehicle crash, managed according to the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocol. Intraperitoneal rupture of hydatid cysts is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, accounting for 1–16% of cases [3, 4]. Diagnosis is made through ultrasonography and contrast-enhanced abdominal CT. Treatment involves patient stabilization, surgical cyst evacuation, and scolicidal irrigation. Postoperative albendazole therapy, along with regular follow-up, is crucial to prevent recurrence [5].