A case of asymptomatic cardiopericardial hydatid cyst

Cases with cardiac hydatid cyst disease are uncommon, being approximately 0.2-2% of all cases. Most cardiac hydatid cysts are located in the interventricular septum or left ventricular wall. Pericardial location is very rare. We report a 42-year old Turkish man with pericardial hydatid cyst disease who was otherwise asymptomatic, having no cardiac symptomatology. The most appropriate therapeutical option for a hydatid cyst is surgical removal of the cyst mass. However, our patient refused surgical treatment and thus medical treatment with albendazole was initiated. Following the first month of the drug therapy, pericardial effusion disappeared. The cystic nature of the mass disappeared and was solidified at the 6th month of treatment. The patient has been followed-up by us asymptomatically.