Is calcified hydatid cyst absolutely dead? A case report and review of the literature

Abstract

How and when does a hydatid cyst die in humans? There is an ongoing debate in medicine about this subject. Calcification of the hydatid cyst wall is believed to indicate the death of the contents of the cyst. However, rarely, the cyst may be alive even though the wall is calcified. With this report, we presented a patient with a hydatid cyst with calcified wall. Our patient presented here was followed up for 8 years after the diagnosis and sufficient and effective treatment was not given thinking that the hydatid cyst was dead because of the calcified cyst wal, but intrabiliary rupture occurred after the follow-up. Criteria for the viability of hydatid cyst are discussed and the literature is reviewed. © 2010 OMU All rights reserved.