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

Abstract

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.

Giant cardiac hydatid cyst mimicking coronary artery disease: imaging assessment. A report of two cases

“…Echinococcosis is a zoonosis parasitic infection that is endemic in certain areas where it remains a major health problem. 1 This tissue infestation in human being is caused by the larva of Echinococcus granulosus when it is accidentally swallowed. They can reach multiple organs via systemic circulation.…”

Invasive pericardial hydatid cyst: Excision of multiple huge cysts

“…Therefore, unpredictable peroperative difficulties should be borne in mind due to the invasive nature of huge cysts. The main principle of surgical treatment is to empty the cyst, remove daughter cysts and the germinative membrane, excise the pericyst, and then obliterate the residual cavity with sutures (capitonnage) [2]. The use of local scolicidal solution such as hypertonic saline solution is obligatory after cystopericystectomy with or without CPB in order to minimize the risk of dispersion of cystic content.…”

“…Diagnostic dilemma is due to the vague clinical scenario as the patient may be asymptomatic for a long period or may present with atypical chest pain, dyspnea, cough, or nonspecific symptoms. Around 10% of the patients are symptomatic [2]. Cardiac hydatid cyst can be intramyocardial or pericardial with rare pericardial involvement.…”

Multiple hydatid cysts in rare locations treated with albendazole: A case report

“…Hydatidosis of the kidney, as a single organ, is not usual and is accompanied by the involvement of the other organs, mostly. [ 4 5 ] It has more prevalence in sheep and cattle-raising regions of the world like Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, and the Mediterranean countries of Europe and Asia. [ 6 ] The presentation of cardiac hydatidosis is very rare and constitutes about 0.5–2% of hydatid disease locations that are classified in this group.…”