HYDATID-DISEASE OF THE THIGH - CONTRIBUTION OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING

Hydatid cysts of the thigh are uncommon in our country despite a high frequency of hydatic disease which is estimated to affect 5.33% of the general population. Diagnosis is usually made late in the clinical co urse. Ultrasonography, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging are the most helpful diagnostic tools. We report a case of a 76-year-old femal e smoker who had undergone surgery for a hydatic cyst of the right lun g at the age of 56 years. In june 1997, the patient was admitted for d ecompensation of chronic obstructive lung disease. Physical examinatio n revealed a 6 cm painless mass in the right thigh which had developed progressively over the last year. Ullrasonography showed multiple hyd atic cysts. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis, showin g interconnected multivesicular cystic formations. Medical treatment w as given due to respiratory failure and patient refusal of a surgical procedure.