Anaphylactic shock following minor abdominal trauma as the initial presentation of Echinococcus cyst: a case report

Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction [1]. It is estimated that approximately one to four patients per 1000 emergency department visits occur due to anaphylaxis [2]. The common triggers of anaphylaxis in children include food, insect stings and drugs [3]. However, anaphylaxis following an abdominal trauma is an exceptionally rare condition and could be the first and only sign of hepatic hydatid cyst, especially when no obvious etiology is present [4].

Hydatid disease also known as cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease. Infection occurs by ingestion of parasite eggs in contaminated food, water or soil, or through direct contact with animal hosts. Hydatid disease is endemic in certain parts of the world including Turkey. Infections with Echinococcus granulosus lead to one or more hydatid cysts located most often in the liver and may remain asymptomatic for years until hydatid cysts cause clinical signs [5]. Most frequent clinical symptoms of hepatic hydatid cysts, mainly due to the mass effect of the enlarging cyst, are abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. Other nonspecific symptoms include anorexia, weakness and weight loss [3]. Ultrasonography imaging is usually first choice for the diagnosis of human hydatid disease [5‐7]. Specific antibodies detected by serological test, indirect hemagglutination and histopathological examination of cyst contents may support diagnosis [5, 6]. Secondary bacterial infections and cyst rupture are important complications of the disease [5, 6]. Complication frequency ranges from 5 to 40%. Rupture of a hydatid cyst of liver into the biliary tree occurs in 6-21% of patients [8‐10]. Cyst may be ruptured spontaneously as a result of increased intracystic pressure or following a trauma. Anaphylaxis due to hydatid cyst rupture may lead to rapid clinical decline and require emergency medical and surgical interventions. In the literature, anaphylaxis following blunt trauma has been described in only a few case reports [4, 11‐16].

Here, we report an unusual case in which anaphylaxis following mild abdominal trauma was the only presentation of hydatid disease in a 17-year-old female patient.

Previously healthy 17-year-old female patient was admitted to the pediatric emergency department because of syncope and hypotension after walking into the classroom door at school when she had hit upper right side of her abdomen. Emergency medical services were noticed and she was transported to the ED via an ambulance. She seemed weak and confused. Her vital signs at admission were as follows: blood pressure 80/35 mmHg, heart rate 120 beats/min, temperature 38.5 °C. Her oxygen saturation on room air was 98%. Upon arrival, she demonstrated an urticarial rash mainly on her face and trunk together with angioedema of the eyelids and lips, and had severe abdominal pain, which occurred in approximately 15-20 min after the trauma. We treated her immediately with 0.5 mg intramuscular 1/1000 epinephrine for anaphylactic shock and initiated intravenous fluid resuscitation. Her response to the initial dose of epinephrine was poor, so that a repeated dosing was required after 15 min. Eventually, her blood pressure was maintained around 110/70 mmHg, approximately 10 min after the second epinephrine dose, with this treatment regime and her hemodynamic status was stabilized soon after. She also received intravenous prednisolone (50 mg) and diphenhydramine (50 mg) to prevent late reaction. Laboratory work-up revealed leukocytosis without eosinophilia and a high C-reactive protein level. Her bilirubin level was mildly elevated and she had hypoalbuminemia. The other laboratory tests were within normal limits (Table 1).

She and her parents both denied previous history of allergies, current medication use or food ingestion that could have clarified the etiology of a possible allergic reaction. There were no signs of insect bite marks. On suspicion that the anaphylactic shock was due to rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst abdominal imaging was considered. Ruptured type 2 hydatid cyst (61 × 68 mm) located in the fifth and sixth segment of liver was evident on both abdominal ultrasonography (Fig. 1) and computed tomography (Fig. 2). Its close relation to biliary ducts raised suspicion of cyst rupture into the biliary tract. The patient was diagnosed with anaphylactic shock secondary to a ruptured liver hydatid cyst following minor blunt abdominal trauma. After administration of initial dose of anti-helmintic treatment with albendazole (10 mg/kg/day), the patient underwent emergent laparotomy the same day. Cyst rupture into the biliary tree was confirmed during surgery. Cyst membranes were excised, and ruptured cyst content were completely removed. Common bile duct was irrigated with 0.9% NaCl, and was surgically repaired. Surgical field was also irrigated with saline to evacuate any debris or cyst content. Hydatid cyst hemagglutination titer was 1/1280 (negative < 1/160). Histopathological examination showed hydatid cyst germinal membranes and scolices. The patient was discharged 1 week after surgery uneventfully. In order to reduce the risk of secondary hydatidosis, albendazole was continued for 6 months (10 mg/kg/day BID) after surgery. The patient recovered fully with this treatment and follow-up imaging at 3- and 6-months showed no signs of recurrence.

We present an adolescent girl with previously unknown hydatid disease of the liver, which manifested with anaphylaxis due to cyst rupture following a minor blunt trauma to the abdomen. This patient was asymptomatic until this event. Most patients with hydatid disease remain silent for several years until cysts enlarge enough to trigger clinical symptoms mainly due to mass effect in a small space or until complications arise [5, 6]. Anaphylaxis, with or without cyst rupture, is a rare presentation to previously unknown cystic hydatid disease [4, 15, 16]. Therefore, high clinical suspicion is required for an accurate diagnosis and timely management in such cases like ours.

In our case, rupture and leakage to the biliary tree was evident in accordance with the previously reported cases. Like most authors argued, we think that antigen release following cyst rupture may trigger the anaphylactic reaction [4, 11‐16]. Hydatid cysts located in the liver may rupture to peritoneal cavity or to biliary passages [9, 17]. Cyst-biliary communications were found to range between 6 and 21% of patients [8‐10]. Early diagnosis and treatment of an intrabiliary rupture of a liver hydatid cyst is critical since mortality rate is 50% [9]. Our patient was successfully treated with adjuvant chemotherapy with albendazole, emergent surgical excision of the cyst and repair of bile ducts without any complications and recurrence. Most authors recommend a standard treatment that includes a combined treatment regime with anti-helmintic treatment and surgical resection or PAIR (Puncture, Aspiration, Injection, Re-aspiration) with satisfactory long-term clinical results [18].

This case report depicts a very rare case of minor blunt trauma-induced anaphylaxis caused by a rupture of a previously unknown hydatid cyst. We think that it is an informative and illustrative case for pediatricians, emergency and primary care physicians. This paper presents the diagnostic workup and clinical management process in detail. However, we were not able to obtain intraoperative picture or video, which could be demonstrative as well.

Hydatid cyst rupture should be considered in the differential diagnosis of anaphylaxis following blunt trauma as a missed or delayed diagnosis may lead to severe complications and sudden death.