RESUMO
Introduction: The objective of this study was to give a description of the most prominent atypical radiological presentations of lung hydatidosis
Materials and Methods: All patients diagnosed with pulmonary hydatidosis by surgical exploration were included in this study. Standard chest roentgenogram and computed tomography CT] were evaluated before surgery for lung cysts or unknown lesions. Radiological findings were divided into two categories: 1- Typical hydatid cysts that were previously presented by imaging as a hydatid cyst in the form of an intact cyst, water lily sign and crescent sign. 2- Atypical hydatid cysts that were not similar to typical previously mentioned hydatid cysts
Results: During a 26-year period, 1024 subjects with pulmonary hydatidosis were diagnosed and operated on. Chest X-rays [interpreted in 832 cases] showed perforated cysts in 190 [23%] and atypical findings such as mass, alveolar type infiltration, abscess and collapse in 113 [13%] patients. Seventy-nine patients had a thoracic CT scan in which atypical cysts were detected in 32 subjects [40.5%] such as: thick wall cavity in 9 patients [28%], solid masses in 7 [21%], abscesses in 6 [18%], consolidation in 3 [9%], fungus balls in 3 [9%], collapse [atelectasis] in 2 [6%] and round pneumonia in 2 [6%]. Cavity was significantly more frequent in the right lung [90%] and mass-like opacity was significantly more frequent in the lower lung field [100%]
Conclusion: Hydatid cysts should be considered for most of localized radiological pictures of the lung without respect to localization, size and count of lesions