A rare cause of parotid swelling: primary hydatid cyst.

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by Echinococcus species. Cystic form of this infection mostly involves liver and lung. Hydatid disease of the parotid gland is a very rare entity that may be easily overlooked in daily practice. On the other hand, rupture of the cyst during surgery may give rise to serious complications. We present a case of hydatid cyst of the parotid and discuss the differential diagnosis of this rare condition.