title: Hydatid cyst in unusual location: Pterygopalatine fossa-infratemporal fossa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hydatid Cyst is a zoonotic infection most commonly caused by larvae of the Echinococcus granulosus. Humans are an accidental intermediate host following ingestion of the larvae.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 16-year-old male patient presenting with a hydatid cyst in the pterygopalatine fossa. There was no pulmonary or hepatic involvement. The definitive therapy comprised excision of the cystic mass and postoperative medical treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pterygopalatine fossa involvement is reported in three cases in the literature. In this report we represent a case with pterygopalatine fossa hydatid cyst extending into infratemporal fossa.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The hydatid cyst of infratemporal and pterygopalatine fossa is extremely rare. Possibility of hydatid cyst should not be ignored at the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions in head and neck region, especially in endemic areas.
authors.affiliation: University of Istanbul, Istanbul Medical Faculty Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: drbayramsahin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Bayram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Şahin
authors.affiliation: University of Istanbul, Istanbul Medical Faculty Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: drcomoglu@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Şenol
authors.initials: Ş
authors.lastname: Çomoğlu
authors.affiliation: University of Istanbul, Istanbul Medical Faculty Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: beldanmdpolat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Beldan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Polat
authors.affiliation: University of Istanbul, Istanbul Medical Faculty Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: kdeger@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Değer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D056739:Pterygopalatine Fossa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole
keywords: Echinococcosis; Hydatid cyst; Hydatid disease; Parasite; Pterygopalatine fossa