Hydatid Cyst of the Pulmonary Artery Secondary to Hepatic Hydatid Cyst Embolism

A cystic lesion of the liver extending into the inferior vena cava was discovered in a 33-year old female patient suffering from dyspnea, pain and swelling in the legs. Plain chest X-ray was normal. CT and MRI of the thorax showed a cystic lesion within the right pulmonary artery. The liver lesion was treated by a partial cystectomy and omentoplas-ty, inferior vena cava and bile ducts repair. Through a right thoracotomy, a hydatid cyst was found in the pulmonary artery and enucleated. Although very rare, pulmonary artery hydatidosis may be the cause of an unexplained dyspnea in patients with hydatidosis of the liver.     

Hydatid Cyst in the Pulmonary Artery: An Uncommon Localization

Abstract Pulmonary artery involvement of hydatid disease caused by the Echinococcus granulosus parasite is an uncommon condition resulting from the opening of a visceral hydatid cyst into the venous circulation or the rupture of a cardiac hydatid cyst. We report a case of a 31-year-old woman with a hydatid cyst located in the right pulmonary artery. Clinical presentation was fatigue, cough, and dyspnea. Diagnosis was made by chest x-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The cyst was extracted under total circulatory arrest. Diagnosis and surgical therapy of the intraluminal pulmonary arterial hydatid cyst prevented possible occurrence of severe complications, such as cyst rupture, anaphylactic shock, and sudden death.     

Compression of the Iliac Vein by a Synovial Cyst

While a synovial cyst of the hip is a rare cause of lower limb swelling, a differential diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis is needed. A case of lower limb swelling due to compression of the external iliac vein by a synovial cyst is presented with a review of the literature. Sagittal views and three-dimensional images of a CT scan were very useful for the diagnosis. This is the first review in English of vessel compression by a synovial cyst of the hip.     

Cervicomediastinal Thymic Cyst: Report of a Case

Congenital thymic cysts are rare. Consequently, they are often misdiagnosed and not included in the preoperative differential diagnosis of neck masses. We report the case of a 7-year-old boy with a large cervicomediastinal thymic cyst to increase the awareness of this unusual entity. We discuss the clinical features, presentation, and pathogenesis of thymic cysts.     

Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Is Effective in Preventing Symptomatic Pulmonary Embolism After Thoracic Surgery

Purpose. Postoperative pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a fatal complication even in thoracic surgery. We have used intermittent pneumatic compression for the prophylaxis of postoperative PE since 1998, and herein examined its effectiveness. Methods. Seven hundred and six patients, whose medical records showed use/no use of pneumatic compression for prophylaxis of PE, underwent general thoracic surgery in our department from December 1995 to December 2000. Their clinical records were reviewed, and variables were compared between patients who experienced clinically apparent PE and patients who did not have PE. Results. Three hundred and forty-four patients did not receive any prophylactic treatment, and 7 of these (2.0%) experienced postoperative PE. Three hundred and sixty-two patients received prophylactic pneumatic compression and none of these developed PE. There was a statistical correlation between the occurrence of PE and the application of pneumatic compression (²-test, P = 0.006). Six of the seven patients with PE were operated on in the right decubitus position, and the operative position and the prevalence of PE was also significantly correlated (²-test, P = 0.024). Other factors, such as age, sex, operative time, duration until patients became fully ambulatory, body mass index, and character of the disease, did not have significant correlation with the occurrence of PE. Conclusions. Pneumatic compression was found to effectively prevent postoperative PE. The right decubitus position is considered to be a risk factor for the development of postoperative PE in thoracic surgery.     

Thymic Cyst Extending into the Pericardium: A Case Report and Review of Thymic Cysts

The cases of 8 patients with cyst of the thymus are reviewed. The patients were all asymptomatic. Pathological features are described that emphasize the spectrum of findings depending on the degree of cyst degeneration. A case of pericardial extension of a thymic cyst, thought to represent rupture of an anterior mediastinal thymic cyst into the pericardium, is described.     

Embolism of the Popliteal Artery by A Ruptured Hydatid Cyst of the Heart

A case of embolism of the popliteal artery by the membrane of a ruptured hydatid cyst of the heart is presented.     

False Aneurysm of the Pulmonary Artery: A Complication of Pulmonary Artery Catheterization

A case of Swan-Ganz catheter–induced pulmonary artery injury is discussed. Iatrogenic pulmonary artery injury probably occurs more frequently than is clinically suspected. Pulmonary angiography is urged when hemoptysis occurs in a patient with an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter.     

Popliteal Artery Pseudoaneurysm After Arthroscopic Cystectomy of a Popliteal Cyst

A case of popliteal artery aneurysm after arthroscopic cystectomy of a popliteal cyst is an uncommon complication, and no case has been reported. We present a case of pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery after arthroscopic cystectomy of a popliteal cyst 2 months after surgery. Open excision of the pseudoaneurysm and popliteal artery pin-point repair were done. At 30 months' follow-up, both the tibialis posterior and dorsalis pedis pulsations were felt equally on both sides with normal sensations over the limb. Retrospectively reviewing the case, we found that the relation of the popliteal artery and popliteal cyst on preoperative magnetic resonance images can predict the complication of pseudoaneurysm of the popliteal artery. It is better not to shave the lateral aspect of the cyst while performing arthroscopic cystectomy when magnetic resonance images show that the popliteal artery is close to the cyst.