Tehran University Medical Journal

Background: Hydatid cyst is an endemic disease in Iran and many middle eastern countries. The clinical presentation of Echinococcus granulosus infection depends upon the site of the cysts and their size. Small and/or calcified cysts may remain asymptomatic indefinitely. However, symptoms due to mass effect within organs, obstruction of blood or lymphatic flow, or complications such as rupture or secondary bacterial infections can result. The most common involved organs with this parasite are the liver and lung. Unusual areas of the disease include breast, adrenal, appendix, peritoneum, omentum and mesenteric. The purpose of this study was to report a rare case of abdominal hydatid cyst with presentation of ovarian cyst in ultrasonography.
Case Presentation: A 26-year-old virgin woman with abdominal pain in the hypogastric region and lower and right quadrant of the abdomen, with gastric fullness and without nausea and vomiting referred to an emergent unit of Ghaem Hospital (an academic hospital of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences) in June 2017. In an ultrasound, a cyst of 95×105 mm in right adnexa of uterus was seen. Due to continued abdominal pain, laparotomy was performed for the patient. At the time of laparotomy, the ovaries, uterus and adnexa were completely normal. A 10×15 cm cyst was seen with a thin wall which adhering to the omentum and the small end of the stomach. Frozen section biopsy reported hydatid cyst.
Conclusion: Considering that hydatid cyst is endemic in Iran, the presence of cystic mass in the peritoneal cavity, hydatid cyst should be considered. To prevent complications and relapse, it is best to avoid cyst rupture during surgery as much as possible.

Background: Intestinal lymphangiomatosis is a rare benign disorder of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by abnormal proliferation and dilatation of lymphatic channels within the intestinal wall and mesentery. It accounts for less than 1% of gastrointestinal tumors and predominantly affects the small intestine, particularly in pediatric patients. Clinical manifestations vary widely depending on the size, location, and extent of the lesions, ranging from asymptomatic presentations to acute complications. Due to its rarity and nonspecific features, early diagnosis is often difficult. Imaging modalities, especially ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, are crucial for initial evaluation and preoperative planning.
Case Presentation: We report an infant who presented with failure to thrive, progressive abdominal distension, and acute symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction. The patient was admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Bojnurd, in February 2024. A detailed clinical assessment and laboratory evaluation were performed, followed by abdominal ultrasonography, which revealed a multiloculated cystic mass originating from the small bowel, highly suggestive of a lymphatic malformation. Due to complete small bowel obstruction and worsening clinical status, urgent exploratory laparotomy was undertaken. Intraoperative findings demonstrated a cystic lesion involving a segment of the small intestine, causing total luminal obstruction. Segmental resection of the affected bowel with primary anastomosis was performed, and the resected specimen was submitted for histopathological analysis. The postoperative course was uneventful, with gradual resolution of abdominal distension and successful reintroduction of enteral feeding. Histopathological examination confirmed intestinal lymphangioma, showing dilated lymphatic channels lined by endothelial cells within the intestinal wall, with no evidence of malignancy. During follow-up, the patient demonstrated satisfactory weight gain and normalization of gastrointestinal function, without recurrence or postoperative complications.
Conclusion: Although rare, intestinal lymphangiomatosis should be considered in infants presenting with failure to thrive and signs of bowel obstruction. Timely imaging, particularly ultrasonography, is essential for early diagnosis. Surgical resection remains the definitive treatment in symptomatic cases and is associated with favorable outcomes. Increased clinical awareness can help prevent delayed diagnosis and minimize associated morbidity.