Infected pulmonary hydatid cyst: A challenging diagnosis.

Echinococcosis is a parasitic infection that is distributed worldwide. Its clinical presentation depends on the size and location of the cyst. A 7-year-old was found with a superimposed infected pulmonary hydatid cyst that was initially misdiagnosed as complicated pneumonia. Our case underscores the challenges of diagnosing and managing echinococcosis, emphasizes the need for a high index of suspicion, and describes the disease's ability to mimic other clinical entities.

The Impact of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst Rupture on COVID-19 Symptom Severity.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with other microorganisms such as parasites in patients with COVID-19 can affect the clinical outcome and require prompt diagnosis and appropriate therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of an adult male with chest pain, dyspnea, cough, diplopia, and anorexia who was confirmed to have acute COVID-19 pneumonia. 2 weeks prior to admission, a hydatid lung cyst was identified on examination, but the patient refused surgery. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a rupture of the lung hydatid cyst and co-infection with COVID-19. The patient has prescribed a treatment protocol for COVID-19 and albendazole. Despite measures taken to manage severe inflammation and decreasing blood oxygen levels, the patient required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) and intubation. After approximately 3 weeks of hospitalization, the patient was successfully extubated and discharged uneventfully from the hospital. Oral albendazole was prescribed for follow-up treatment. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights the importance of considering hydatid cysts in the differential diagnosis of patients with COVID-19, especially those living in endemic areas.

The co-infection of pulmonary hydatid cyst, lophomoniasis and tuberculosis in a patient with resistant respiratory symptoms; a case report study.

BACKGROUND: Lophomonas blattarum is a rare protozoan that causes opportunistic infections, and the co-infection of lophomonas with tuberculosis and human hydatidosis is a serious public problem in the co-endemic areas of developing countries. CASE REPORT: We presented a 58-year-old female with fever, losing weight, and cough with whitish-yellow sputum that started one month ago. Increasing inflammatory markers and hypereosinophilia in laboratory tests, and a cavity with thick, regular walls and undulating air-fluid levels measuring 43 × 30, evident in the upper segment of the right lower lobe (RLL), along with consolidation and the ground glass opacity of the upper segment and posterior basal of the RLL is apparent in CT scan were reported. Then, a bronchoscopy was requested, and the BAL specimen reported a negative fungal and bacterial infection in the samples. Several live and oval flagellated lophomonas protozoa, hydatid cyst protoscoleces (the larval forms of the parasites), and M. tuberculosis were observed in microscopic evaluation. The patient was treated with metronidazole, oral albendazole, and a combination of TB regimen. CONCLUSION: Physicians should always consider the possibility of co-infections of lophomonas with tuberculosis and human hydatidosis and investigate patients with risk factors such as immunodeficiency conditions or treated with immunosuppressive medications.

An unexpected guest: Pulmonary echinococcosis diagnosed by intraoperative frozen section examination. A case report and literature review.

Echinococcosis is caused by tapeworms belonging to the Echinococcus genus. The most common site of infection is the liver although it may involve almost any organ. Symptoms of pulmonary echinococcosis vary depending on the location and structure of the cyst. While uncomplicated cysts usually appear at imaging as well-defined homogeneous lesions with fluid content and smooth walls of variable thickness, complicated lesions may have a more heterogeneous content with higher density making more difficult the distinction from malignancies or other infections. Hereby we describe the case of a 61-year-old Northern African male admitted to our tertiary center for left upper chest pain who then underwent a chest computed tomography (CT) scan which demonstrated a large hypodense lesion, with smooth and thick walls, in the upper left lobe. The following magnetic resonance confirmed the homogeneous fluid content, and the 18 F- fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/CT demonstrated a mild uptake of the walls. According to these findings, the main differential diagnoses at imaging included bronchogenic cyst, synovial sarcoma, and pulmonary hematoma although the patient denied any recent trauma. Given the large size and clinical symptoms he underwent surgery. Intra-operative frozen section, supported by imprint cytology, excluded the presence of malignancy while suggested an echinococcal laminar exocyst. The final pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of echinococcosis (i.e., Echinococcus Granulosus protoscolex). After surgery he was treated with albendazole and at the six-month follow-up he was in good clinical conditions. Our case highlights the importance of considering rare infections, particularly in individuals from endemic areas. Frozen tissue analyses can be a diagnostic challenge and often require ancillary tools such as imprint cytology and serial sections for more sensitive and accurate diagnosis.

Intra thoracic extra pulmonary hydatidosis: prognosis and outcomes of 8 operated patients.

Hydatid cyst disease is a parasitic disease known from the times of hippocrates, and is still endemic in our country Morocco among others, affecting mainly the liver and lungs, while intra thoracic extra pulmonary location remains a rare entity of the disease. In our department of thoracic surgery, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco, we operated 92 patients for thoracic hydatid cyst in the period between January 2016 and December 2021, 8 patients of this group had exclusive extra pulmonary location of the hydatid cyst, epidemiological and clinical data were recorded for the 8 patients (5 men, 3 women). The mean age was 40.3 years, all patients presented mainly with chest pain, dyspnea and cough. The locations of the hydatid cysts were chest wall, pericardium, pleural space and diaphragm. The hydatid cysts were removed via extirpation technique through thoracotomy in all patients. The average duration of hospitalization was 7 days. Postoperative complications consisted of atelectasis in one patient, parietal hematoma in another, and surinfection with pleuro-cutaneous fistula and chronic neurological chest pain in one patient. No deaths were noted in our series.

Management of Pulmonary Hydatidosis and Lung Abscess in Low-Resource Settings.

In the modern era, infections of the lung are typically managed medically. However, all pulmonary hydatid cysts require surgery with rare exceptions, and bacterial abscesses require surgery if they are complicated, resistant to treatment, and/or large. Surgical treatment of these pulmonary conditions requires clinical knowledge of tests for causative organisms, perioperative antimicrobial therapies, options for surgical management, and postoperative care.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cystic echinococcosis in children from a tertiary center in Peru. / Características clínicas y epidemiológicas de equinococosis quística en niños de un centro terciario en Perú.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in children is a public health problem. To describe the clinical and epidemiological profile of CE, we reviewed the records of 55 children admitted to our institution with a confirmed diagnosis of CE between 2017-2019, analyzing demographic data, clinical manifestations, and treatment. Of the population, 61.8% (34/55) were male. The mean age was 9.25 years (SD: 2.79); 16.4% had previous CE diagnosis, and 50.9% had contact with dogs. The median time of illness was 2 months. Of the patients, 65.5% had hepatic involvement, 56.4% had pulmonary involvement, and 21.8% had both hepatic and pulmonary involvement. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (80.6%) and cough (80.6%). Surgical treatment was performed in 87.5% of patients with hepatic CE, in 100% of those with pulmonary CE and in 100% of those with hepatic and pulmonary CE. Albendazole was prescribed in 100% of hepatic cases, in 73.7% of pulmonary cases, and in 75% of those with both conditions. Mortality was not reported.

La equinococosis quística (EQ) en niños es un problema de salud pública. Para describir las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de la EQ se revisaron los registros de 55 niños con diagnóstico confirmado de EQ admitidos entre 2017 y 2019 en un centro quirúrgico referencial del Perú. Se analizaron los datos demográficos, las manifestaciones clínicas y el tratamiento. El 61,8% (34/55) de los niños fue de sexo masculino. La edad promedio fue de 9,25 años (DE: 2,79); un 16,4% tuvo diagnóstico previo de EQ, y un 50,9% tuvo contacto con perros. La mediana de tiempo de enfermedad fue de dos meses. El 65,5% tuvo afectación hepática, el 56,4% pulmonar y el 21,8% hepática y pulmonar. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron dolor abdominal (80,6%) y tos (80,6%). El tratamiento quirúrgico se realizó en el 87,5% de los casos con EQ hepática y en el 100% de los casos con EQ pulmonar y EQ hepática y pulmonar. Se prescribió albendazol en el 100% de casos hepáticos, en el 73,7% de casos pulmonares y en el 75% de ambas afectaciones. No se reporta mortalidad.

Hidatidosis pulmonar: comparación de los resultados de la cirugía con y sin capitonaje mediante Propensity Score Matching / Pulmonary hydatidosis: comparison results of surgery with capitonnage versus surgery without capitonnage using Propensity Score Matching

Resumen Introducción: El tratamiento de elección del Quiste Hidatídico Pulmonar (QHP) es la resección quirúrgica. Actualmente, existe controversia sobre la superioridad de la cirugía con capitonaje (CC) versus la cirugía sin capitonaje (SC). Objetivo: Comparar los resultados de la cirugía conservadora CC y SC mediante Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Materiales y Método: Se realizó un estudio analítico retrospectivo de los pacientes con QHP tratados quirúrgicamente en el Hospital Guillermo Grant Benavente, Concepción, Chile; entre enero-1995 y diciembre-2018. Se realizó un PSM con una relación 1:1 entre los pacientes operados con la técnica CC y SC. Posterior al PSM se balancearon las características basales. Resultados: Total 205 episodios de QHP en el período. Se realizó cirugía conservadora en 165 casos, 101 CC y 64 SC. Posterior al emparejamiento se obtuvieron 53 pacientes operados CC y 53 SC. No se observaron diferencias significativas en la presencia de fuga aérea persistente (CC = 9,4%; SC = 11,3%, p 0,75), empiema (CC = 3,8%; SC = 0%, p 0,49), días con pleurotomía (CC = 9,1 ± 8,9; SC 10,1 ± 10,7, p 0,39, mediana 6 versus 6 días, respectivamente), ni días de estadía posoperatoria (CC = 10,4 ± 9,0; SC = 11,7 ± 11,9, p 0,22, mediana 7 versus 7 días, respectivamente). Conclusiones: La cirugía SC demostró resultados comparables a la técnica CC en el tratamiento quirúrgico conservador del QHP.

Background: The treatment of choice for Pulmonary Hydatid Cys (PHC) is surgical resection. There is currently controversy about the superiority of surgery with capitonage (SC) versus surgery without it (SWC). Aim: To compare the results of conservative surgery with capitonnage and versus surgery without capitonnage using Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Materials and Method: A retrospective analytical study was carried out with patients with PHC treated surgically at the Guillermo Grant Benavente Hospital, Concepción, Chile, between January-1995 and December-2018. A PSM was performed with a 1:1 ratio. Results: Conservative surgery was done in 165 cases, 101 SC and 64 SWC. After matching, 53 SC and 53 SWC operated patients were obtained. No significant differences were observed in the presence of persistent air leak (9.4% vs11.3%, SC vs SWC respectively, p 0.75), empyema (3.8% vs 0%, p 0.49), days with pleurotomy (9.1 ± 8.9 vs 10.1 ± 10.7, p 0.39), nor days of postoperative stay (10.4 ± 9.0 vs 11.7 ± 11.9, p 0.22). Conclusión: The SWC demonstrated comparable results to the SC technique in the conservative surgical treatment of PHC.

Is There Any Role of Pulmonary Endarterectomy in Pulmonary Arterial Hydatidosis?

BACKGROUND: Hydatid cyst is a zoonosis caused by Echinococcus granulosis. Pulmonary artery involvement is a rare condition. The aim of this study was to review the investigators' experience with the surgical treatment of pulmonary arterial hydatidosis. METHODS: Data were collected prospectively for consecutive patients who underwent pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) and who had a diagnosis of hydatidosis at or after PEA. RESULTS: A total of 8 patients (2 male and 6 female; mean age, 31.25 ± 13.68 years) with hydatidosis were defined. Only 1 patient presented with hemoptysis, whereas the rest of the patients reported exertional dyspnea as their main symptom. Cardiac hydatidosis associated with pulmonary arterial involvement was noted in 1 patient. The mean time interval for duration of disease was 12 ± 24.29 months before PEA. Mortality was observed in 2 patients as a result of massive hemoptysis in 1 patient and right-sided heart failure in the other. No anaphylactic reaction was observed. Significant difference was detected in mean pulmonary vascular resistance as a decline from 442.38 ± 474.20 dyn/s/cm-5 to 357.25 ± 285.34 dyn/s/cm-5 after PEA (P = .011). Two patients had recurrence of the disease after a median follow-up of 9.1 months All survivors improved to New York Heart Association functional classes I and II. CONCLUSION: Pulmonary arterial hydatidosis may mimic chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, and in these patients the diagnosis can be made with PEA. Pulmonary endarterectomy may be a therapeutic option for patients who do not respond to medical therapy if the cystic lesions are surgically accessible. PEA should be performed only in expert centers because of the high risk of perioperative morbidity, mortality, and postoperative recurrence.

Pulmonary hydatidosis genotypes isolates from human clinical surgery based on sequencing of mitochondrial genes in Fars, Iran.

BACKGROUND: Cystic echinococcosis (CE)/hydatidosis is an important neglected parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the metacestode of Echinococcus granulosus s.l. The present study was designed to identify the pulmonary CE species/genotypes in isolated human underwent to surgery in our center in Southern Iran. METHODS: The study population of this study were all patients in Fars province who were admitted to Namazi Hospitals for pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery. Thoracic surgery was performed in the thoracic ward and the cyst/s was removed by open surgery via posterolateral or lateral thoracotomy. DNA was extracted from the germinal layer or the protoscoleces. PCR technique was performed using the cytochrome C oxidase subunit1 (cox1) gene, and the products were sequenced. RESULTS: A total of 32 pulmonary hydatid cyst samples were collected from 9 (28%) female and 23 (72%) male aged from 4 to 74 years old. A total of 18(56%) cyst/s were in the left lobe and 14 (44%) cysts in the right lobe. Sequence analysis of the cysts showed that 24 samples (75%) were E. granulosus s.s (G1-G3) genotype and 8 (25%) were E. canadensis (G6/G7) genotype. CONCLUSION: E.granulosus s.s genotype was the most prevalent genotype followed by E. canadensis (G6/G7) genotype. There was no significant statistical correlation between cysts' size, location, genotype strain, and patients' age and gender.

A 27-Year-Old Man With Intermittent Chest Pain During the Last 4 Years.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old man from Eritrea presented to the ED complaining about a progressively worse blunt chest pain in the anterior right hemithorax. Chest pain started 4 years ago and was intermittent. During the last 6 months, symptoms got worse, and the patient experienced shortness of breath in mild exercise. For this purpose, he visited another institution, where a chest radiograph was performed (Fig 1). He was advised to visit a pulmonologist for further evaluation, with the diagnosis of a loculated pleural effusion in the right upper hemithorax.

Giant pulmonary hydatid cyst in children.

BACKGROUND: Lungs are the second most common site for hydatid disease after the liver. Giant hydatid cyst (GHC) of the lung is a special clinical entity in children and is related to higher lung tissue elasticity. AIM: To compare clinical and imaging features, types of surgical interventions, and postoperative complications in pulmonary GHC and non-giant pulmonary hydatid cysts (NGHC) in children. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken. The data analyzed were taken from medical records of children with pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) hospitalized in a pulmonary department in Tunisia between January 2004 and February 2019. Cysts were divided according to their size into GHC ( ≥10cm) and NGHC (<10cm). RESULTS: In the study period, 108 PHC were recorded in 84 children. GHC accounted for 21 (19.4%) and NGHC for 87 (80.6%). The median of age of the children was 11 years (IQR 1-9, IQR 3-14) and the mean age was 11.6 years (10.5 in GHC vs. 11.4 years in NGHC). Hemoptysis was found in 25% of the GHC group vs. 48.4% of the NGHC group (P=0.27). Cysts were multiple in 23.8% of cases and predominated in the right in 64.3% of cases and in the inferior lobes in 71.4% of the cases. GHCs were less frequently complicated (60% vs. 78.1% in NGHC, P≤0.11), although not significantly. Parenchymal resection was realized in 50% of GHC vs. 18.8% of NGHC (P=0.006). No significant difference was found in postoperative complications between the two groups and there was no recurrence in either group. CONCLUSION: GHC is a special clinical entity in children. It requires major surgery with parenchymal resection, and therefore early diagnostic and therapeutic management is warranted.

Hydatid disease, hepatic injury and hypertonic saline: a clinical conundrum.

Echinococcosis or human hydatid disease is a helminthic infection is caused by Echinococcus species. Classically, cystic echinococcosis is caused by Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto, E. equinus, E. ortleppi and E. canadensis, though several other species have been implicated in hydatid disease. Echinococcus infection may lead to cystic disease of the liver, lungs and potentially other organs. Here we present a patient who had cystic disease of the lungs and liver. The patient initially experienced right upper quadrant pain and nausea, and later went on to develop a fever, cough and dyspnoea in the setting of hydropneumothorax. CT scan of the chest and abdomen revealed a large fluid collection at the left lung base and a large lobular complex fluid mass within the right lobe of the liver. Echinococcus titres were positive. The patient was commenced on albendazole; however, experienced significant derangement of liver enzymes within the following month. In light of this, the albendazole was ceased, and a hemi-hepatectomy was performed. During the hemi-hepatectomy there was some cyst content spillage, and subsequently a washout with hypertonic saline 3% was performed. This was followed by a course of praziquantel 1200 mg two times per day for 14 days. Repeat CT 6 months later demonstrated no evidence of recurrence.

A Paediatric Case of Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst Presented with Mediastinal Lymphadenopathy.

Hydatid cyst is a common zoonosis caused by larval forms of tapeworms called Echinococcus. The problem often occurs in the liver or lung. Cyst rupture and secondary bacterial infection are the most important complications of pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC). PHC may mimic serious lung diseases such as treatment-resistant pneumonia, tuberculosis, and tumours. This report discusses the case of a paediatric patient with PHC who presented with chronic cough, hilar lymphadenopathies up to 3 cm, and worsening symptoms despite non-specific pneumonia treatment. Hence, PHC should be considered in patients with treatment-resistant pneumonia and mediastinal lymphadenopathy.

A 9-Year-Old Boy With Recurrent Chest Pain and Nonresolving Pneumonia.

CASE PRESENTATION: A previously healthy, 9-year-old boy presented with five recurrent episodes of left-sided chest pain with low-grade fever over the last 18 months. The pain usually lasted for few hours, was severe and consistent, and resolved spontaneously. It worsened during inspiration, physical activity, and swallowing. He did not experience any cough, dyspnea, chills, cold sweats, or weight loss. His medical and family history was unremarkable.

A 28-Year-Old Pregnant Woman With a Lung Abscess and Complicated Pleural Effusion.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 28-year-old woman G1P0 at 22 weeks of gestation and with no significant medical history presented to the ED complaining of worsening dyspnea and right-sided pleuritic chest pain. Symptoms started 2 weeks before presentation, with minimal productive cough and dyspnea on exertion. One week after the initial symptoms, the patient started noticing right-sided chest and shoulder pain along with subjective fevers and night sweats. She denied hemoptysis, weight loss, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, or rash. Her pregnancy had so far been uncomplicated. The patient did not use tobacco, alcohol, or recreational drugs. She worked at a daycare center but denied any particular sick contacts. She moved to the United States 7 years ago from Sudan and denied any recent travel.

Clinical features and treatment of ruptured pulmonary hydatid cyst in children.

Backgroud and objectives. Rupture is the main complication of the pulmonary hydatid cyst (HC). The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and treatment of ruptured pulmonary HC. METHOD: The medical records of children who had undergone surgery between January 1999 and December 2017 for pulmonary HC were retrospectively evaluated. One hundred forty seven of these patients had ruptured HC at the time of diagnosis. The gender, age at the time of diagnosis, sociogeographic status (i.e., from urban or rural population group), symptoms, affected lung region, cyst dimensions, preoperative complications, medical treatment duration, and associated morbidities were evaluated. RESULTS: The study included 649 patients with pulmonary HC. Mean age was 9,8 (2-17) years. Three hundred forty four patients were male and 305 were female. The most common symptoms were, cough accompanying mucopurulent sputum, hydropthysis and dyspnea in patients with ruptured HC. The diagnosis of all the patients were established in the light of the findings obtained from two-sided chest x-ray and CT of the thorax. Simple cystotomy via posterolateral thoracotomy was the treatment of choice. Cappitonage was not performed in any patients. Lung resection was performed only if there was an irreversible and disseminated pulmonary destruction. CONCLUSION: Rupture of the pulmonary HC is the most common and also the most feared complication. Rupture may be either intrabronchial or intrapleural. Radiologic imaging is diagnostic. Rupture of the pulmonary HC must be considered as an emergent issue. Simple cystotomy amd removal of the laminated membranes are adequate treatment of choice. Meticulous closure of the bronchial openings is mandatory to avoid prolonged air leak. Cappitonage is unnecessary.

Laboratory results and clinical findings of children with hydatid cyst disease.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship hydatid cyst (HC) is a parasitic disease that is endemic worldwide. AIMS: To study the clinical findings and laboratory results of patients with hydatid disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total number of patients (n = 78) who underwent surgery for HC disease from 2000 to 2017 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients' demographic characteristics, reasons for admission into hospital, lesion location and size, laboratory results, and complications were recorded. RESULTS: Of the HCs, 59% and 26.9% were located in the liver and lungs, respectively. The rate of multiple organ involvement was 10.3%. A total of 16 (20.5%) cases had ruptured HCs (7 livers, 7 lungs, 1 spleen, and 1 omentum). There was no significant difference in the rate of eosinophilia between patients with and without cyst rupture (P = 0.9). Indirect hemagglutination (IHA) tests yielded negative results in 38.9% of the patients; among them, 32.1% had ruptured HCs. A negative IHA test result was significantly associated with rupture (P = 0.046). No significant difference between rupture and cyst size or location was found. CONCLUSIONS: HC rupture was not correlated with cyst size. The sensitivity of serological tests and the blood eosinophil count was low, even in cases of ruptured HCs. The recurrence rate can be reduced by open surgery and medical treatments.