Muscular and subcutaneous hydatidosis

: Among unusual echinococcus cysts, muscular hydatidosis merits particular attention. Careful analysis of the statistics provided by the literature shows that the condition is not all that rare: its incidence varies from 0.5 to 4.7%, making it less common than hepatic or pulmonary cysts but more frequent than cysts of the kidneys, bone, pancreas, spleen or mesenterium. There are disagreements about the percentage distribution in the various muscular districts but it seems that the incidence gradually decreases as we go from the muscles of the torso and the root of the limbs to the distal extremities. The Palermo University case series includes 6 cases of which 5 muscular and one in the connective tissue. Of the 4 muscular cases, only one is to be considered secondary. For the purposes of correct preoperative diagnosis we should not neglect either anamnestic data or laboratory tests. Though the latter are not specific they are helpful for differential diagnosis from other muscular neoformation. Exploratory centesis that must be performed very cautiously in order to prevent dissemination appears to be more specific. Radiography and ultrasound examinations permit the direct study of cystic formations and a general assessment of the possibility of multiple hydatid locations. The only possible treatment is surgical. Though total removal of the cyst is the operation of choice, this is not always possible if the cyst is very big and adhering to other structures. In this case the procedure to be adopted is sterilisation and aspiration of the content, removal of the membrane and treatment of the pericystium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)