Giant cardiac hydatid cyst with rare adhesions

Hellenic J Cardiol. 2014 May-Jun;55(3):260-4.

Abstract

We present a 29-year-old woman who was admitted to the emergency department with shortness of breath. Using echocardiography, a giant multi-cystic mass was detected in the right ventricle, attached to the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve and basal portion of the interventricular septum. Serologic tests (hydatid cyst antibody) confirmed Echinococcus infection. Lung computed tomography with intravenous contrast showed involvement of the pulmonary vasculature. The patient underwent cardiac surgery and the large cardiac cyst and the one in the right pulmonary artery branch were both removed. The tricuspid valve was also replaced by a bioprosthetic one. Albendazole was started preoperatively and was continued for six months after surgery. The patient recovered uneventfully and was followed up for one year. This is a report of a rare case of a very large cardiac hydatid cyst complicated by pulmonary embolism with attachments to both the tricuspid valve and interventricular septum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Albendazole / therapeutic use
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Echinococcosis / complications*
  • Echinococcosis / drug therapy
  • Echinococcosis / surgery
  • Female
  • Heart Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Diseases / parasitology*
  • Heart Diseases / surgery
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications

Substances

  • Anthelmintics
  • Albendazole