Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Diaphragmatic hydatid cyst is a misdiagnosed condition. The challenge is to suspect this rare entity on nonspecific clinical features and to localize the cyst on imaging in order to determine the surgical approach. Surgery is the only curative treatment and confirmation is set on pathology examination. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a twenty-six-year-old patient, with no medical history, who complained of recurrent right thoracic pains rebel to opioids. All radiological items lead to suspect a diaphragmatic hydatid cyst. Surgery permitted a complete resection of the cyst and a total relief of the pains. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: The diagnosis of diaphragmatic hydatid cyst is a real challenge. Several diagnoses can be evoked such as hydatid disease depending from the liver, cystic lymphangioma or neural intercostal benign tumor. The phrenic origin of the cyst can only be identified through surgery. However, it is very important to clearly characterize the lesion to well conduct surgical approach. CONCLUSION: It is important for surgeons to suspect diaphragmatic hydatid cysts despite its rarity. CT-scan and MRI are helpful tools to localize the disease and to conduct the surgical procedure. Final diagnosis is only set on pathology examination after curative surgery.