Hydatid disease is a zoonotic disease caused by the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. It is an endemic disease in many parts of the world. Although humans are incidental hosts of the parasite, the disease sometimes results in fatal consequences. The liver and lungs are the most common sites of infection in humans. We report the case of a 45-year-old female who presented with complaints of right hypochondriac pain, fever, and cough, initially suspected as a case of liver abscess but later diagnosed as a giant calcified hydatid cyst of the liver. Imaging and immunoglobulin G for Echinococcus granulosus helped confirm our diagnosis. Based on her symptoms, the patient was treated symptomatically with analgesics, paracetamol, and an antitussive for pain, fever, and cough, respectively. In terms of definitive care, she was treated with oral albendazole and referred to her home district for necessary surgical intervention.
Keywords: cyst hydatid; echinococcus granulosus; helminth infection; infectious and parasitic diseases; role of imaging studies.
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