[Cardiac hydatidosis]

Abstract

Cardiac localizations in hydatid disease are uncommon and often latent. A mass at the apex of the heart was discovered in a 42-year-old patient who presented with abnormal EKG repolarization. This mass was anechoic. Coronography demonstrated an avascular lesion with displaced coronary arteries. A hydatid cyst was suspected. No other visceral localizations of hydatid disease were detected. The patient refused surgery and was seen two years later with acute pericarditis and rapidly developing cardiac tamponade. A very large amount of pericardial fluid and a single hydatid cyst were discovered upon surgery. The cyst was aspirated and sterilized and the protruding cyst wall was resected. A severe postpericardotomy syndrome and positivation of hydatid disease serological tests occurred during the postoperative course. The patient was then given flubendazole. Prompt recovery occurred and the patient is still doing well under therapy two years later. In hydatid disease, an isolated cardiac localization is uncommon and often latent and may be revealed by complications. Prompt diagnosis should be made by echocardiography.