Abu-Mandeel Eman, Amleh Safa' Al, Mahmoud Muhannad M, Azizieh Omar
Radiology Department, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Pathology Department, Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Radiol Case Rep. 2023 Jan 19;18(3):1329-1333. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2022.12.057. eCollection 2023 Mar.
Hydatid cyst is a rare breast pathology; however, it should be included in the differential diagnosis of any breast mass. The history and imaging findings can sometimes raise suspicion of the hydatid nature of the mass. The presence of certain imaging signs specific to hydatid cysts can further indicate this diagnosis. Nevertheless, the definitive diagnosis remains histological, and the treatment is principally surgical. Herein, we present a case of a 38-year-old female who was found to have the "serpent sign" on ultrasonography, which is pathognomonic for ruptured hydatid cysts, as part of the imaging workup for a left breast lump. This case report underscores the importance of characteristic imaging features such as the "serpent sign" in the diagnosis of hydatid disease, especially in unusual sites like the breast where the index of suspicion is particularly low. Recognition of such signs elicits special pre- and intraoperative precautions to minimize complications like local dissemination and anaphylactic shock.
包虫囊肿是一种罕见的乳腺病变；然而，在任何乳腺肿块的鉴别诊断中都应考虑到它。病史和影像学表现有时会引发对肿块包虫性质的怀疑。包虫囊肿特有的某些影像学征象的出现可进一步提示该诊断。尽管如此，确诊仍需依靠组织学检查，治疗主要是手术治疗。在此，我们报告一例38岁女性，在对左侧乳腺肿块进行影像学检查时，超声发现有“蛇征”，这是破裂包虫囊肿的特征性表现。本病例报告强调了“蛇征”等特征性影像学表现在包虫病诊断中的重要性，尤其是在乳腺等不常见部位，因为在此处怀疑指数特别低。识别这些征象可引发特殊的术前和术中预防措施，以尽量减少局部播散和过敏性休克等并发症。
