Imaging of the splenic hydatid cyst

Splenic hydatidosis has been reported since ancient times. Berlot in 1790 was the first to describe splenic hydatidosis as an autopsy finding. It may be detected incidentally or present with non-specific complaints. It is endemic in cattle-rearing areas of South America, Africa, Middle East, South Europe, India, and Australia. The rarity of splenic hydatid disease poses a diagnostic challenge for clinicians, particularly in non-endemic areas. As the hydatid cyst can present as a simple cyst without having the classic serological and imaging features, and later can lead to life-threatening complications like anaphylaxis, hydatid disease of spleen should be considered in differential in every patient in endemic areas with cystic lesion of spleen until proved otherwise.