Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to evaluate the demographic features, localizations and pathological features of pediatric cases with hydatid cyst (HC).

Method: We analyzed retrospectively 79 patients that histopathologically diagnosed as HCs between 2000 and 2020. Data such as patients’ characteristics, site of lesions were collected from pathology reports.

Results: Patient’s mean age was 11.24±4.42 (age range: 2-18 years). Most (51.9%) of the patients (n=41) were female and 48.1% of the patients (n=38) were male. The patients were distributed in the age groups of <6 (n=9) 6-11 (n=29), and >11 (n=29) years, as indicated. There was a male predominance in >11 years group while female predominance was seen in other age groups. HCs were most frequently localized in the liver (54.4%, n=43), and then in the lungs (31.6%, n=25). The other localization sites of HCs were spleen, cerebrum, kidney, orbit, abdomen, bone, and submandibular area. Hepatic HCs were seen mostly in female (25/43; 54.0%), and pulmonary HCs in male (13/25; 52%) patients. Histopatologically all cases shared the same typical microscopic features of HC.

Conclusion: The incidence rate of HCs in pediatric age group was increased by age. It is more common in older children (>11 years). Hepatic HCs were more common in female patients. Pulmonary HCs were more frequently seen in male patients. HCs can be seen in atypical localizations in pediatric age which should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions.