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.