Hydatid cyst of the thyroid gland: Report of three cases

Abstract

Introduction: Hydatid disease can develop in any organ of the body, the most frequent locations being the liver and lung, but occasionally it can affect other organs such as the thyroid gland. In Chile there are few previous publications.

Aim: The aim of this report is to present the diagnosis, treatment and followup of three patients with hydatid thyroid cysts. Clinical

Cases: Two women, ages 9 and 56, and a 56 year old male patient, referred from Aysén in Patagonia, all of them due to a symptomatic increased volume in thyroid gland. The diagnosis was made through anamnestic history and ultrasound images. All underwent subtotal thyroidectomy and postoperative chemoprophylaxis with Albendazole for 30 days. Diagnostic confirmation was made by histopathological study. None had recurrence, one of them has been followed for 22 years.

Conclusion: In conclusion, although the thyroid gland is rarely affected, hydatid disease should not be overlooked in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the thyroid gland, especially in patients living in regions where the disease is endemic.