Pulmonary hydatid infection from echinococcosis granulosus.
Diagnosis:
- Hydatid disease of the lungs is caused by infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.
- Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, radiological imaging, and serological testing.
- A chest X-ray may show a cystic lesion or a mass in the lung, while a CT scan may show a well-defined, round or oval, unilocular or multilocular cyst.
Clinical presentation:
- Patients with hydatid disease of the lungs may present with cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and hemoptysis.
- Symptoms may be absent or mild in the early stages of the disease, and may become more severe as the cyst grows or ruptures.
- In some cases, patients may present with anaphylaxis or a severe allergic reaction to the hydatid cyst antigens.
Radiological findings:
- Chest X-ray or CT scan may reveal a unilocular or multilocular cystic mass in the lung.
- Imaging may also show the presence of daughter cysts or calcifications within the cyst.
- In some cases, imaging may reveal the presence of a collapsed cyst, a ruptured cyst, or the spread of hydatid disease to other organs.
Key takeaways:
- Hydatid disease of the lungs is a rare but potentially serious condition caused by infection with the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus.
- Diagnosis typically involves a combination of clinical evaluation, radiological imaging, and serological testing.
- Treatment usually involves surgical removal of the cyst and administration of anthelmintic medications to prevent recurrence.
In summary, hydatid disease of the lungs is a rare but potentially serious condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. With appropriate management, most patients can achieve a good outcome and prevent recurrence of the disease.
Case courtesy of Dr Karwan T. Khoshnaw, Radiopaedia. From the case rID: 56784.
Case courtesy of Dr Saeed Soltany Hosn, Radiopaedia. From the case rID: 20658.
