title: Primary hydatid cyst of the neck: A rare and unusual site.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Isolated parasitic swellings of the neck, particularly hydatid cysts, are rare, even in endemic countries. The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological and clinical features and the diagnostic approach to head and neck hydatid disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3-year-old boy was hospitalised for an isolated mass of the left side of the neck that had been gradually enlarging for one year. Neck ultrasound demonstrated a hypoechoic cystic structure on the lateral aspect of the neck, measuring 3.5cm in diameter. Histological examination of the surgical specimen confirmed the diagnosis of hydatid cyst.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In endemic countries, a diagnosis of hydatid disease should be suspected in all cystic masses of the neck. Epidemiological, clinical, laboratory and radiological features can lead to a presumptive diagnosis of hydatid cyst and aspiration cytology can correct an erroneous diagnosis. Histological examination confirms the diagnosis in these unusual sites.
authors.affiliation: CHU Mohammed VI, Université Mohammed I, Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, boulevard Al Houria, 60000 Oujda, Morocco. Electronic address: kenzaoqbani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Oqbani
authors.affiliation: CHU Mohammed VI, Université Mohammed I, Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, boulevard Al Houria, 60000 Oujda, Morocco.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chraïbi
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Al Farabi, Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, 60000 Oujda, Morocco.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harchichi
authors.affiliation: CHU Mohammed VI, Université Mohammed I, Service d'Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, boulevard Al Houria, 60000 Oujda, Morocco.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbaoui
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009333:Neck; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Endemic disease; Histology; Hydatid disease; Morocco; Neck