Primary echinococcus cyst of the thyroid. A case report.

Although echinococcosis is not rare in South Africa, the location of a hydatid cyst in the thyroid is unusual. It usually presents as a solitary nodule, which may mimic a thyroid carcinoma. The routine use of aspiration cytology in the workup of cases of single thyroid nodules may complicate the further management of patients with a hydatid cyst of the thyroid; anaphylaxis and dissemination may occur and technical difficulties may be experienced during operation. A case of echinococcal cyst of the thyroid presenting as a single thyroid nodule, suspected to be thyroid cancer, is reported.