Primary Echinococcus Cyst of the Thyroid Gland

An echinococcus cyst in the thyroid gland is rare, and it usually presents as a solitary nodule, which may mimic a thyroid carcinoma. A case of primary hydatid disease of the thyroid gland, presenting as a solitary thyroid nodule, is reported. Preoperative inves- tigation did not establish the diagnosis and a total thyroidectomy was performed. The histologic examination confirmed the diagnosis. Post- operative investigation showed it to be a solitary primary thyroid hydatid cyst.