IntroductionMediastinal localization of hydatidosis is very rare even in endemic areas. The diagnosis is based on typical clinical and radiological criteria.Case presentationWe report a case of a mediastinal location of hydatidosis in a 60-year-old Arab man admitted for chest pain. The chest radiograph showed a rounded and homogeneous opacity. Computed tomography showed a right mediastinal cyst, without other thoracic or abdominal sites. Through a posterolateral thoracotomy, we found a cystic mass in the posterior mediastinum. The patient received a cystectomy with medical treatment based on albendazole. He improved a few weeks later.ConclusionMediastinal cysts remain rare, even in endemic countries, which makes initial diagnosis difficult. Our observation shows the importance of keeping this diagnosis in mind when a patient presents with signs of mediastinal compression.

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Intestinal obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum is the most common presentation in adults. There are various mechanisms by which it can cause intestinal obstruction such as volvulus of small intestine around a fibrous band extending from Meckel's diverticulum to umbilicus, intussusception, and Littre's hernia. We report the case of a young adult operated on emergency for acute intestinal obstruction. The CT scan suggested a nonspecific internal herniation. Surgical exploration confirmed a rare type of obstruction due to Meckel's diverticulum.

Gastrointestinal tuberculosis is quite rare, representing only 3% of all extrapulmonary cases. Involvement of the appendix is rare, only occurring in about 1% of cases. It is usually secondary to tuberculosis elsewhere in the abdomen. A prompt diagnosis depends on a high index of suspicion as clinical signs may be nonspecific and microbiological confirmation is difficult. Histopathologic examination is often the only way to reach a diagnosis and to establish specific antibiotic therapy. In these cases, due to the absence of specific symptoms and signs, the diagnosis is delayed until after surgery.