Traumatic occult pneumothorax and ipsilateral hydatid cyst: A case report.

Abstract

Traumatic pneumothorax is a common chest condition that can be caused by a chest trauma. Hydatid cysts are also common, especially in Syria, and is caused by Echinococcus granulosis infection. We report a case of mutual presentation of pneumothorax and a large Hydatid cyst on the same chest side in an 18years-old patient who got stabbed in the chest. The chest x-ray reveled well-defined, homogeneous radio-opacity lesion that is consistent with Hydatid cyst but no pneumothorax was observed. Later, the chest CT showed a small pneumothorax that coexist with the Hydatid cyst. The case was treated conservatively and the patient survived. Some studies support treating asymptomatic trauma patients with occult PT with observation and placing a chest tube if still asymptomatic. Our case questions the management protocol for such a rare encounter as the stability status of the patient was poor, and there was a large hydatid cyst close to the chest wall. Physicians should be aware of the possible management solutions when dealing with similar cases, especially in emergency settings. Until clear guidelines are published for this matter, we recommend that high-level observation of the patient's vitals are the determining factor for suitable intervention.