Cardiac hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum: A literature review

Cystic echinococcosis of the interventricular septum: a rare clinical presentation

“…Mainly, parasite reach the heart through coronary circulation, for this reason left ventricle myocardium is the most common cardiac localisation (60%) owing to its reach blood flow, followed by the right ventricle (10%), pericardium (7%), left atrium (6-8%) and the right atrium (3-4%). [2][3][4] The interventricular septum is particularly a rare location, stated in only 4% of cardiac cases. [2][3][4][5] While atypical chest pain becomes the most common symptom, it can cause palpitations or even atrio-ventricular block by interference with conduction pathways, dyspnoea and syncope attacks due to obstruction of the outflow tract or valvular dysfunction.…”

“…[2][3][4] The interventricular septum is particularly a rare location, stated in only 4% of cardiac cases. [2][3][4][5] While atypical chest pain becomes the most common symptom, it can cause palpitations or even atrio-ventricular block by interference with conduction pathways, dyspnoea and syncope attacks due to obstruction of the outflow tract or valvular dysfunction. 2,4,5 That being said, only 10% of patients are symptomatic at admission, making early diagnosis of the disease very difficult.…”

“…[2][3][4][5] While atypical chest pain becomes the most common symptom, it can cause palpitations or even atrio-ventricular block by interference with conduction pathways, dyspnoea and syncope attacks due to obstruction of the outflow tract or valvular dysfunction. 2,4,5 That being said, only 10% of patients are symptomatic at admission, making early diagnosis of the disease very difficult. 1 In endemic areas, it must be considered for differential diagnosis in patients with indefinite cardiac symptoms.…”

“…Most of larvae forms are filtered in hepatic sinusoids or alveolar tissue; consequently, liver (50-70% of cases) and lungs (5-30%) are the most common localisations of Cystic echinococcosis, [1][2][3][4] but some reach the systemic circulation, leading to uncommon locations like heart, that is accounted for 0.5-2% of total cases. [1][2][3] Diagnosis at early stage becomes challenging as only 10% of cardiac involvement shows symptoms, 1 including chest pain, dyspnoea and palpitations. 5 Although serological tests including enzyme-linked immunoabsorbant essay and indirect haemagglutination employed for initial scanning, they can be false negative in 50% of all cardiac Cystic echinococcosis.…”

“…1,4 Echocardiography is a low cost and effective modality for the diagnosis of Cystic echinococcosis and thus preferred in all patients for initial screening. 1,2 While CT best shows wall calcification, MRI is optimal for showing anatomic location and cyst contents, both used for further evaluation of the cyst size, detailed anatomic information and complications. [1][2][3]…”