Recurrent pulmonary microemboli secondary to primary cardiac hydatidosis

Primary cardiac hydatid cysts are rarely diagnosed and seldom rupture to lungs via pulmonary vein resulting in multifocal cystic lesions. We report a rare instance of an interventricular hydatid cyst. A 19-year-old patient was admitted with dyspnea and multiple homogenous opacities with different sizes in his chest X-ray and contrast enhanced thorax computed tomography. We considered recurrent pulmonary microemboli, although neither systemic embolisation nor intravascular cyst of pulmonary arteries was detected. Due to extensive distribution of the pulmonary cysts, only the cardiac cyst was taken surgically. The patient remains in our care without any pulmonary improvement despite appropriate medical treatment.     

A huge cardiac hydatid cyst: An unusual cause of chest pain revealing multivisceral hydatidosis in a young woman

Hydatid disease remains endemic in some parts of the world. Cardiac hydatidosis with multivisceral involvement is uncommon but potentially fatal. We report the case of a 36-year-old Tunisian woman admitted with chest pain and T-wave inversion in the inferior leads on her electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large hydatid cyst in the epicardium throughout the left ventricle. Thoraco-abdominal computerized tomography (CT) scan showed several hydatid cysts in the left lung, the liver, and in both breasts.After one week of albendazole treatment, surgical excision of the cardiac cyst on cardiopulmonary bypass was carried out as well as excision of the pulmonary and breast cysts. The postoperative course was uneventful and albendazole treatment was continued for six months. Though hydatid cardiac involvement is very rare, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of atypical chest pain in young patients, especially those living in regions where hydatid disease is endemic.     

Infected cardiac hydatid cyst

A 24 year old woman presented with chest pain and palpitation. The presence of a semisolid mass—an echinococcal cyst or tumour—in the left ventricular apex was diagnosed by echocardiography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. The infected cyst was seen at surgery. The cyst was removed successfully by using cardiopulmonary bypass with cross clamp.


Keywords: cardiac hydatid cyst; infected cardiac hydatid cyst     

Results of alcohol and albendazole injections in hepatic hydatidosis: experimental study

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous drainage with alcohol injection for hydatid cysts has been commonly used in the last two decades. Albendazole is the drug of choice in the medical treatment of hydatidosis, and has also been used as an intraoperative scolicidal solution. The side-effects of its local application are not well known and have not been investigated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of the intracystic injections of alcohol and albendazole solutions on the hydatid cysts and hepatobiliary system of rabbits. METHODS: There were three groups of eight rabbits: a control group, an alcohol group and an albendazole group. In all groups hepatic hydatidosis was obtained. The control group received no therapeutic procedure. Cyst liquid was aspirated, and alcohol or albendazole solutions were injected in the other two study groups. alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) levels, echinococcus indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests, and the size and volume of the residual cysts were investigated. Liver was histopathologically evaluated. RESULTS: The ALT, AST, GGT, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were significantly higher in the alcohol group, whereas echinococcus IHA level was highest in the control group than in the study groups. Albendazole had similar effects but of a lesser degree (P < 0.01). After therapy, the cyst volume was greater in the control than in the albendazole group (P < 0.01). In histopathological evaluation hepatocellular necrosis, portal inflammation and fibrosis were most severe in the alcohol group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Alcohol and albendazole solutions are effective as scolicidal solutions. Higher scolicidal effect and lesser side-effects on hepatobiliary system are the advantages of albendazole solution.     

Primary cardiac hydatid cyst presenting as noncompaction cardiomyopathy

We report a case of cyst was initially labeled as left ventricular noncompaction cardiomyopathy. An accurate diagnosis is essential to establish the most effective treatment strategy. In particular, echocardiographic examination assists in identifying the correct diagnosis. In this case, two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional echocardiography and computed tomography were used for definitive diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst.     

Surgical management of liver hydatidosis: a multicentre series of 1412 patients

Background: The management of hydatid liver disease (HLD) includes various nonsurgical and surgical treatment options. Methods: The purpose of the present longitudinal study was to report the changes in surgical management and the consequent outcome of HLD patients in 10 referral surgical centres in Argentina from 1975 to 2007. The study result analysis was divided into two study periods (1975–1990 and 1991–2007). Results: A total of 1412 patients underwent radical (Group 1: 396 patients), conservative (Group 2: 748 patients) or combined (Group 3: 536 interventions in 268 patients) surgical procedures. The overall mortality and complication rate (Clavien I–IV) was 1.8 and 39% respectively. The complication rate was significantly lower in Group 1 (26%) compared with Group 2 (45%) and Group 3 (42%) There was a significant decrease in mortality (2.3 vs. 1%), complication (42 vs. 34%) and early reoperation (12 vs. 6%) rates between the first study part (918 patients) and the second study part (494 patients). During a median follow‐up of 7 years, there was a significant decrease in the first part of this study in the late reoperation rate (8.4–3%) and in disease recurrence (9–1.6%). Conclusion: This large national observational multicentre series shows a significant improvement in surgical management of HLD in Argentina, with a decrease in mortality, morbidity, early and late reoperation and recurrence rates. A recent trend was observed in favour of an earlier diagnosis, less complicated clinical presentation and recent use of minimally invasive approaches.     

Incidental finding of multiple pulmonary and cardiac hydatid cysts

BackgroundCardiac hydatid cyst is a rare parasitic disease. Since it may be associated with fatal complications, early diagnosis and treatment of a cardiac hydatid cyst is very important, however, it may stay asymptomatic for a long time, until they reveal themselves being perforated into cardiac chambers and/or pulmonary artery or systemic circulation.Case presentationWe report a case of a young asymptomatic boy, who underwent a routine chest x ray in a pre employment check up in whom we discovered a multiple pulmonary lesions and a right ventricle hydatid cyst. He then underwent a successful treatmentConclusionDue to the high risk of associated complications, cardiac hydatid cysts should be removed surgically, even in asymptomatic patients.     

Progress of untreated massive cardiac echinococcosis--echocardiographic follow-up

A 56-year-old man was admitted with chest pain and dyspnea. Echocardiographic evaluation revealed a giant cystic cardiac mass with multiple loculations at interventricular septum extended to inferoposterior region protruding inside the cavity. The patient refused surgical therapy. His complaints persisted without significant changes after 5 months. Second echocardiographic evaluation revealed conjugation of previous multiple cyst to gigantic intramyocardial cyst and minimal pericardial effusion. We intend to illustrate herein an unusual echocardiographic appearance and progress of an untreated massive "cardiac echinococcosis." If cardiac hydatid cyst is left untreated it may transform to large cavity with a high risk of rupture.     

Les kystes hydatiques cardiaques à propos de 17 cas opérés

Cardiac hydatid cyst is a rare parasitic disease. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical, pathological features and the outcome of the surgical treatment of cardiac hydatid disease in our unit over a twenty-year period.MethodsBetween May 1994 and May 2014, seventeen cases of cardiac hydatid cysts were operated at our unit. Overall, twelve patients were male (mean age 25 ± 13 years). All patients were complaining of dyspnea and 71% presented with chest pain. The diagnosis, based on histological examination, was suspected on echocardiography and computed tomography of chest.ResultsOur study revealed five possible locations, which were in decreasing order of frequency: left ventricle, interventricular septum, right ventricle, left atrium and pulmonary artery. The surgical procedure was a controlled puncture and aspiration of the cyst content, with cystectomy (69%), or pericystectomy (31%). The resulting cavity left open in 6 cases (37.5%) or carefully closed in 10 (62.5%). Hospital mortality was 11.8% (n = 2). Morbidity was marked by conduction abnormalities (n = 2), bleeding and hematoma of the residual cavity that required surgical treatment (n = 3). Eleven patients were followed with a mean period of 40.5 ± 19.4 months. At follow-up, neither late deaths nor recurrence have occurred.ConclusionCardiac hydatid cyst is a serious disease whose treatment is surgical. Cystectomy and pericystectomy remain the two surgical techniques able to offer good chance of cure with acceptable morbidity and mortality.     

Mycardial hydatid cyst ruptured into the pericardium: cross-sectional echocardiographic study and surgical treatment

We describe a patient with a large intramyocardial hydatid cystlying in the postero-lateral segment of the left ventricle nearthe atrioventricular groove level which ruptured into the pericardialsac, resulting in cardiac tamponade. Cross-sectional echocardiographicexamination from a modified four-chamber apical view showedthe multiloculated cyst and the breach connecting it to thepericardial sac, allowing for the definitive dagnosis and indicationfor emergency cardiac surgery. The risks of pericardiocentesisand invasive diagnostic procedures could thus be avoided.     

Cardiac hydatid cyst revealed by ventricular tachycardia

Hydatid disease is a human parasitic infestation caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus Granulosus. The liver and the lungs are the most common locations. Cardiac involvement is rare and accounts for 0.5–2% of all hydatid disease. We report an unusual presentation of cardiac hydatid cyst revealed by ventricular tachycardia in a patient with a history of cerebral hydatid cyst.     

Invasive pericardial hydatid cyst: Excision of multiple huge cysts

Cardiac hydatid cyst is rare even in endemic countries, and poses a therapeutic challenge due to varying presentation and unpredictable pre-, peri-, and postoperative complications. We herein present a case of multiple, multifocal, huge pericardial hydatid cyst, with invasion into the left ventricle and main pulmonary artery in a young male patient, presented with atypical chest pain.     

Cardiac hydatid cysts located in both the left ventricular apex and the intraventricular septum: case report

Cardiac hydatid cyst is rarely encountered and constitutes 0.5%–2% of all hydatid cases. Although left ventricular (LV) location for hydatid cysts has been frequently reported, the involvement of both the left ventricle and the interventricular septum (IVS) has not been previously reported in the literature. We present a case of cardiac hydatid cyst with fatal recurrent cerebral embolism and the unusual involvement of both LV and IVS demonstrated by transthoracic echocardiography. Received: March 5, 2001 / Accepted: April 27, 2001     

Le kyste hydatique du cœur. Quelle modalité d’imagerie pour un diagnostic précis ?

Cardiac echinococcosis is rare. Its spontaneous course is serious because of the risk of rupture. Its clinical manifestations are variable, often latent and misleading. The diagnosis is sometimes referred to by chest radiography. It is much facilitated by non-invasive imaging techniques in particular transesophageal and transthoracic echocardiography, CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging. The latter through a morphological and topographical analysis accurate diagnosis of hydatid cyst and its relationship to cardiac muscle and surrounding tissue. Through functional analysis in cine cyst movements relative to the heart wall, it confirms its free or fixed character in the heart chambers, determines its insertion area, its deformability, the risk of rupture and its impact on myocardial contraction. Our case illustrates the relative contribution of these different imaging techniques and their respective contributions to the identification of hydatid cyst of its wall, its contents, its relationship with the various tunics and heart chambers and its relations with the lungs and mediastinum.     

Pericardial hydatid cyst presenting with cardiac tamponade

Cases of cardiac hydatid cyst disease are uncommon, occurring in approximately 0.5% to 2% of patients with hydatid disease. Most cardiac hydatid cysts are located in the left ventricle and interventricular septum. Cardiac involvement may have serious consequences. Both the disease and its surgical treatment carry a high complication rate, including rupture leading to cardiac tamponade, anaphylaxis and also death. In the present report, a 10-year-old girl with cardiac tamponade secondary to a pericardial hydatid cyst is described.     

Multidisciplinary imaging of liver hydatidosis

Liver hydatidosis is a parasitic endemic disease affecting extensive areas in our planet, a significant stigma within medicine to manage because of its incidence, possible complications, and diagnostic involvements. The diagnosis of liver hydatidosis should be as fast as possible because of the relevant complications that may arise with disease progression, involving multiple organs and neighboring structures causing disruption, migration, contamination. The aim of this essay is to illustrate the role of imaging as ultrasonography (US), multi detector row computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of liver hydatidosis: the diagnosis, the assessment of extension, the identification of possible complications and the monitoring the response to therapy. US is the screening method of choice. Computed tomography (CT) is indicated in cases in which US is inadequate and has high sensitivity and specificity for calcified hydatid cysts. Magnetic resonance is the best imaging procedure to demonstrate a cystic component and to show a biliary tree involvement. Diagnostic tests such as CT and MRI are mandatory in liver hydatidosis because they allow thorough knowledge regarding lesion size, location, and relations to intrahepatic vascular and biliary structures, providing useful information for effective treatment and decrease in post-operative morbidity. Hydatid disease is classified into four types on the basis of their radiologic appearance.