Obstetric and gynaecological presentations of hydatid disease

Abstract

Hydatid disease of the female pelvis is rare in gynaecological practice. In Libya, where the disease is endemic, 14 women with pelvic hydatid disease were encountered in one hospital department between 1971 and 1979. Five of these women were pregnant, a hospital prevalence of 1 in 20 000. The other nine women accounted for 0.3% of all gynaecological laparotomies in the same hospital. The clinical features, diagnosis and management of this rare condition are described.