The wandering hydatid cyst with arterial embolization: Diagnostic pitfalls and management strategies in resource-limited healthcare – A case report

Hydatid disease, or cystic echinococcosis, is a zoonotic infection caused mainly by <i>Echinococcus granulosus</i>, transmitted through ingestion of parasite eggs from contaminated sources or contact with infected canines. Humans become accidental hosts, typically developing cysts in the liver and lungs, with rare dissemination to other organs. We report a case of a 65-year-old female with disseminated hydatid disease involving the left kidney, head of the pancreas, pelvic sidewall, right gluteal region, and left proximal medial thigh. The disease had spread extensively, affecting a large segment of the descending thoracic aorta and causing embolization into the mesenteric, iliac, and lower limb arteries. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges we faced, radiologic features, and management considerations in an advanced presentation of disseminated hydatidosis, particularly in a resource-limited setting where infectious disease specialists and vascular surgeons are not readily available.