Cardiac hydatid disease; misleading presentations, a case series

Abstract

IntrodcutionCardiac echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic infection that necessitates a high index of suspicion in endemic areas. The purpose of this study is to introduce different clinical scenarios of four cases in two major cardiac centers. MethodsA retrospective, case series study, conducted in three centers for the last two years. Addressing each case separately in regard to presentation and management. ResultsFour cases have been reported, three patients were female 75% and one patient was male 25%. Age ranged from 27 to 32 years. All the patients 100% had dyspnea as their main first presentation, one patient (25%) presented as pulmonary embolism with three attacks of hemoptysis. One patient (25%) had an attack of convulsion 25%. Different segments of the heart were involved, Left ventricle was involved in 50%, Right ventricle in 25%, combined pulmonary and pericardial involvement in another 25%. Median Sternotomy with the cardioplegic arrest was performed in three patients 75% and Posterolateral thoracotomy was the approach in one case 25%. ConclusionCardiac Hydatid cyst is a sparse yet potentially perilous clinical entity. Early surgical intervention is the modality of choice might halt unfavorable consequences.