Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Case Reports in Pathology
Volume 2013, Article ID 126541, 3 pages
http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/126541
Case Report
Primary Subcutaneous Hydatid Cyst with Palisading
Granulomatous Reaction
Noorah Almadani,
1
Bader Almutairi,
2
and Ali H. Alassiri
1
1
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Abdulaziz Medical City, P.O. Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
2
Department of Medical Imaging, King Abdulaziz Medical City, P.O. Box 22490, Riyadh 11426, Saudi Arabia
Correspondence should be addressed to Ali H. Alassiri; aliassiri@hotmail.com
Received 24 October 2013; Accepted 17 November 2013
Academic Editors: K.-U. Choi and T. Yuri
Copyright © 2013 Noorah Almadani et al. Tis is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution
License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly
cited.
Palisading granulomatous reactions are prominent microscopic characteristics that are seen in many diseases. Isolated subcuta-
neous cystic echinococcosis is rarely documented. Palisading granuloma as a host immune reaction to Echinococcus granulosus in
an isolated primary subcutaneous hydatid cyst has been reported only once before. In this report, we are describing a 53-year-old
male who developed a slowly growing subcutaneous thigh mass. Light microscopy confrmed the presence of hydatid cyst. Further
radiological workup for liver and lung has not shown any visceral hydatid focus.
1. Introduction
Cystic echinococcosis is an important tapeworm disease
caused by Echinococcus granulosus, usually locating in liver
or lungs, and subcutaneous location or extension is rare.
Palisading granulomatous reactions have been docu-
mented in several diseases. Furthermore, rare cases of
echinococcosis that show palisading granulomatous reaction
have been documented. Herein, we report an unusual clin-
ical presentation with an uncommon microscopic feature
of isolated subcutaneous cystic echinococcosis that shows
prominent palisading granuloma.
2. Case Report
2.1. Clinical Features. A 53-year-old male presented with
a right thigh mass slowly growing over 10 years. Physical
examination revealed a rounded, frm mass in the right upper
thigh with no skin changes. Magnetic resonance imaging
revealed a cystic well-circumscribed heterogenous sof tissue
mass involving the mid-upper right thigh just inferior to
the right inguinal ligament (Figures 1(a) and 1(b)). Te
mass measures 13.7 cm in maximum dimension. Te patient
underwent total excision of the mass with safe margins and
his postoperative clinical course was uneventful.
2.2. Gross Features. Macroscopic examination of the received
excisional biopsy showed a well-circumscribed subcutaneous
cystic mass that measures 13.5 cm in maximum dimension
covered by skeletal muscle tissue. Te outer surface is intact
and the section surface revealed multiloculated cystic mass
containing thick yellow gelatinous material.
2.3. Microscopic Features. Formalin fxed and parafn em-
bedded sections displayed variably sized cysts palisaded by
granulomatous reaction (Figure 2(a)). Te cyst contained
PAS+ laminated membranous structures typical of Echino-
coccus cyst walls better appreciated on high magnifcation
(Figures 2(b) and 2(c)). Tese are intensely stained with PAS
stain.
2.4. Clinical Correlation. Subsequent serological assay for
hydatid disease was positive. Computed tomography of chest,
abdomen, and pelvis did not reveal any primary lesion.
3. Discussion
Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by the
tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. It is endemic in Saudi
Arabia and the Middle East countries especially in rural areas