Primary ovarian echinococcosis misdiagnosed as intraabdominal echinococcosis: a case report

doi:10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2026.03.022

CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES ›› 2026, Vol. 44 ›› Issue (3): 457-460.doi: 10.12140/j.issn.1000-7423.2026.03.022

• CASE REPORT • Previous Articles

Primary ovarian echinococcosis misdiagnosed as intraabdominal echinococcosis: a case report

LI Yunzhang¹()(), XIE Nana¹, CHAI Jinping², OU Hongyu³, LIU Linxun³, PAN Hongshuai³, A Jide³^,^*()()

¹ Clinical Medical College of Qinghai University, Xining 810016, Qinghai, China
² Department of Cardiology, Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, Xining 810000, Qinghai, China
³ Department of General Surgery, Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, Xining 810000, Qinghai China

Received:2026-01-30 Revised:2026-03-27 Online:2026-06-30 Published:2026-06-22
Contact: *E-mail：491607355@qq.com
Supported by:
Supported by the 2024 Qinghai Provincial Kunlun Talents · High-level Innovation and Entrepreneurship Talents-Top Talents (Qingrencai Zi [2025] No. 5);Special Project of High-level Health Talents Joint Training Program between Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital and Soochow University(2025-qhsrmyysd-01);National Natural Science Foundation of China(82260412)

Abstract

Abstract:

A 70-year-old female, herdsman from Gonghe County, Qinghai Province, was presented to Department of General Surgery, Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital on November 8, 2025, with complaints of lower abdominal pain and discomfort for 2 years and aggravation for 4 days. The patient has a clear history of long-term residence in a pastoral area. Abdominal and pelvic CT scans displayed a massive cystic mass in the abdomen and pelvis, containing multiple daughter cysts and band-shaped high-density shadows, with the largest cross-sectional dimension measuring approximately 225 mm × 85 mm, compression of the right ureter and hydronephrosis, gallstones and a cyst in the left kidney. Color doppler ultrasound of the pelvis showed a cystic mass measuring approximately 225 mm × 85 mm from the xiphoid process to the pelvic cavity, and the mass displayed clear borders and contained multiple daughter cysts with a “cabbage-like” appearance. Admission diagnosis included intraabdominal echinococcosis, urinary tract infection and chronic hepatitis B. The case was given exploratory laparotomy, complete excision of Echinococcus cysts and adhesiolysis of pelvic adhesions under general anesthesia on November 13, 2025, based on imaging findings and clinical symptoms. Intraoperative findings included a massive cystic mass in the abdominal and pelvic cavities, measuring approximately 22 cm × 8 cm, with thick, milky-white walls. Exploration revealed that the pedicle of the mass originated from the right ovary, and the main body of the cyst extended upward into the upper abdomen and was firmly adherent to the greater omentum, the inferior margin of the liver, the right kidney, and the right ureter, with the uterus and left adnexa appearing normal. Right ovarian echinococcosis was diagnosed intraoperatively, and cystectomy of right ovarian echinococcal cysts was performed. Following postoperative pathological examinations, right ovarian echinococcosis was confirmed. The patient recovered well postoperatively and was discharged from hospital 9 days post-operation. The patient was instructed to take albendazole (200 mg/dose, twice daily) regularly after discharge and to undergo periodical follow-up with color Doppler ultrasound of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and spleen, as well as liver function tests. No recurrence or surgery-related complications have been recorded until now.

Key words: Echinococcosis cysticus, Ovarian echinococcosis, Misdiagnosis

CLC Number:

R532.32

LI Yunzhang, XIE Nana, CHAI Jinping, OU Hongyu, LIU Linxun, PAN Hongshuai, A Jide. Primary ovarian echinococcosis misdiagnosed as intraabdominal echinococcosis: a case report[J]. CHINESE JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY AND PARASITIC DISEASES, 2026, 44(3): 457-460.

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References 11

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Primary ovarian echinococcosis misdiagnosed as intraabdominal echinococcosis: a case report

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