Echinococcosis: intramuscular localization.

Localization of hydatidosis in the musculoskeletal system is a rare occurrence, and generally involves the skeleton. A case reported here in which the muscular localization of hydatidosis followed hepatic and pulmonary localizations treated surgically. 1) Muscular localization seems to be related to the regional circulation; 2) diagnosis may be done by echography, CT scan, RMI and immunological tests with ELISA and RIA methods; 3) basic steps during surgery, which constitutes the treatment of choice, involve the prevention of anaphylactic shock and the inactivation of the cyst; 4) chemotherapy is limited to cases in which it is not possible to perform radical surgery, to the prevention of postoperative recurrence, and to cases which cannot be treated surgically.