An extra-hepatopulmonary hydatid cyst fistulizing into the abdominal aorta mimicking an abdominal aortic aneurysm: A case report

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease that can cause serious mortality and morbidity in humans. A 45-year-old male patient presented to the emergency department of our center with complaints of nausea, vomiting, and swelling in the left leg. His medical history revealed that he was fine needle aspiration had been performed due to an intra-abdominal abscess and that treatment for cystic echinococcosis had been administered, but that the patient had neglected treatment and follow-up. Radiological imaging and serodiagnostic tests revealed a giant hydatid cyst fistulizing into the aorta, causing secondary obstruction in the abdominal aorta and leading to pseudoaneurysm. The patient was successfully treated with open surgery. In conclusion, cystic echinococcosis can be successfully treated involving the primary repair of the cysto-arterial fistula and removal of the cyst.