About a rare case: hydatid cyst of the abdominal wall

Abstract Parietal hydatid cysts are an exceptional location for hydatid disease, which remains a major public health problem worldwide, affecting approximately 3 to 4 million people, especially in endemic areas. This location poses a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge due to varied and sometimes misleading clinical presentations. The article aims to emphasize that the possibility of a primary hydatid cyst of the abdominal wall should not be ruled out in any patient with a history of abdominal hydatid surgery, describe the clinical manifestations, analyze the available diagnostic tools and present the principles of surgical and medical management of this particular entity. Learning points •Primary hydatid cyst of the abdominal wall is an extremely rare entity and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any cystic lesion of the abdominal wall. •It is important to distinguish between primary and secondary abdominal wall hydatid cysts. •A history of hepatic surgery for hydatid disease does not exclude a primary origin. •The diagnosis relies primarily on abdominopelvic computed tomography. •Surgical management remains the treatment of choice, with particular emphasis on preventive measures, especially in endemic regions.