[Hydatid cysts as a cause of acute artery occlusion].

This is a case report of 7 years old boy who presented to us with acute onset of pain and coldness in left leg that appeared during a game and started 3 hours prior to admission in our hospital. Developmental and past medical histories were nonspecific. Physical examination revealed absence of all pulsations in left lower extremity in addition to presence of paralysis of left peroneal nerve. Complete diagnostic investigation was carried out including Seldinger angiography and occlusion of left external iliac artery was confirmed. Embolectomy was performed and hydatid cyst that caused arterial obstruction has been removed from left external iliac and common femoral artery. Follow up examination after 7 days confirmed presence of palpable pedal pulsation with slight lingering paresis of left peroneal nerve that improved with physical rehabilitation exercises. The aim is to present an extremely rare case of primary arterial echinococcosis and to stress upon necessity of including it into differential diagnosis of acute arterial occlusion in regions where this illness is endemic.