Cardiopericardial Hydatid Cysts

Abstract

Cardiac hydatic cyst is a rare parasitic disease. We reported 45 patients with cardiac hydatid cysts; 33 of the 45 had a primitive, unique cardiac cyst. Altogether, 18 patients of our series were asymptomatic, and 27 patients complained of symptoms (dyspnea, chest pain, palpitations). In 11 cases the cyst was revealed by an acute complication; 3 of the 11 had pulmonary metastatic hydatidosis. The diagnosis was based on a series of test results in which hydatid serology and imaging (echocardiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging) played a predominant role. Cystopericystectomy is the gold standard procedure but is sometimes unsuitable for particular sites. In that case, a conservative approach (partial pericystectomy) is mandatory to preserve organ function. The operative mortality rate is 5.5%. Two pericardial recurrences were reported during follow-up.

Pericardial hydatid cyst presenting with cardiac tamponade

“…But, the echolucent and multiseptate nature of hydatid cysts may sometimes be absent, and they may appear as a tumour-like mass (2,9). The recommended treatment is excision of the cyst because of the possibility of severe complications, including cyst rupture and sudden death, even in asymptomatic patients (6,7,10).…”

“…Pericardial localization without myocardial involvement is also extremely uncommon. Patients with a cardiac hydatid cyst may remain asymptomatic for many years or have minor nonspecific complaints, but it is associated with an increased risk of lethal complications, including rupture leading to cardiac tamponade, anaphylaxis and also death, if undiagnosed and untreated (3)(4)(5)(6)(7).…”

Cardiac hydatid cyst revealed by complete heart block

“…A ruptured cardiac hydatid cyst may cause more serious complications such as pericardial tamponade, pulmonary-systemic embolization, pulmonary hypertension, and anaphylactic reactions. [1][2][3] Ulgen et al [4] reported a case in which the patient died from recurrent cerebral embolization of a ruptured cardiac hydatid cyst. Interventricular septal cysts are usually asymptomatic; however, in rare instances in which cardiac echinococcal cysts involve the interventricular septum, they can cause symptoms related to obstruction of the right or left ventricular outflow tract and/or compression of the conduction pathway (AV block and syncopal attacks), as in our case.…”

The Case of a Cyst Hydatid Localized Within the Interatrial Septum

“…12) Cardiac hydatid cysts account for 0.02-2% of all hydatid cysts, 55-75% are localized in the left ventricule, 15-18% in the right ventricle, 5-9% in the interventricular septum, 3-4% in the right atrium, and 2% in the interatrial septum. 1,9,11) According to the published literature, hydatid cysts localized in the interatrial septum are generally diagnosed during the autopsy of a rupture or mortal arrhythmia, during venous cannulation in open heart surgery, or during exploration of massive pulmonary emboli. [1][2][3] In our case, a hydatid cyst located in the interatrial septum was detected after surgery on an intracranially localized hydatid cyst and during exploration for a second focus.…”