Abstract
Cystic echinococcosis (Hydatid disease or hydatidosis), is a zoonotic, parasitic disease caused by larvae of Echinococcus granulosus (dog tapeworm) and transmitted via faeco-oral route. Although humans are accidental hosts, cystic echinococcosis can lead to numerous clinical symptoms and signs in humans. Based on their location, fatal anaphylaxis can occur following rupture of hydatid cysts. Even though frequently encountered in Middle East, South America, East Africa and Central Asia, the condition is very rare in Sri Lanka where only a few cases have been reported. We report the case of a young adult male, recently returned from a Central Asian country, who presented with a right-sided chest discomfort over three months. Initial investigations including imaging suggested an intrapulmonary fluid-filled lesion requiring surgical evacuation. At the surgery, it was found to be a hydatid cyst of the lung. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydatidosis, and the patient was treated with albendazole. Follow up investigations revealed no residual infection.
Highlights
Known as hydatidosis or hydatid disease, is a parasitic disease of dogs and animals, which can rarely occur in humans as well
We report a case where a 25-year-old male patient was referred to the cardiothoracic surgery unit, National Hospital, Kandy, Sri Lanka in November 2010, for the evacuation of a possible lung abscess, which was eventually discovered to be a hydatid cyst of the lung
World Health Organization estimates that nearly one million people are affected worldwide with the infection of Echinococcus granulosus, in the endemic regions (4)
Summary
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Cite this article as: Welgama et al Hydatid cyst of the lung: a case report from Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura Medical Journal 2019;13(1):[18-21] DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/amj.v13i1.7650
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