This patient was diagnosed with hydatid disease or in this case cystic echinococcosis. Hydatid disease is a parasitic zoonotic disease caused by a tapeworm. Specifically, it is most commonly caused by the cestode, Echinococcus granulosus (commonly called the Dog Tapeworm).
Asking The Right Questions … Leading to a Diagnosis-part 1
Her travel history was significant in that she had recently immigrated from her native Greece where she had been living on her family's small farm for all her life. On this farm the family raised sheep and notably the farm had a number of dogs which were free to roam.
