Giant lung and liver hydatid cyst in a 3-year-old child

A 3-year-old girl presented with growth retardation. Radiologically, a radiopacity consistent with a hydatid cyst was noted in both the lungs and the liver (Figure 1). The patient underwent surgical treatment to remove the cyst from the lungs and liver.

FIGURE 1:
Direct radiography shows a radiopaque appearance in the right lower zone of the lung in the paracardial region and the left lower zone of the lung. The homogeneous opacity increase (arrows) pushed on the intestinal loops (A). An axial thoracic computed tomography (CT) mediastinal section shows a cyst in the right middle lobe (arrow) compressing the right atrium and a giant hydatid cyst filling the lower lobe of the left lung (B). An abdominal CT section shows a giant hydatid cyst with similar characteristics in the liver (C).

Hydatid disease is a parasitic disease transmitted via the fecal-oral route1. In approximately 8% of cases, the hydatid cyst is located in both the liver and lungs¹. When the hydatid cyst is intact, it appears on direct radiographs as a round radiopacity with smooth margins. In endemic areas, the diagnosis is made by clinical and radiologic findings. Growth retardation rarely occurs in hydatid cysts¹. Serology may help diagnose, especially if the cyst ruptures and the case becomes complicated². Although hydatid cysts can be large, the coexistence of giant cysts in both the liver and lungs is rare in 3-year-old children³. In these cases, the hydatid cyst should be treated immediately.

REFERENCES

• ¹
  Aydin Y, Ulas AB, Ince I, Korkut E, Ogul H, Eren S, et al. Large Case Series Analysis of Cystic Echinococcosis. Indian J Surg. 2021;83(Suppl 4):S897-S906. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03061-0
  » https://doi.org/10.1007/s12262-021-03061-0
• ²
  Agudelo Higuita NI, Brunetti E, McCloskey C. Cystic Echinococcosis. J Clin Microbiol. 2016;54(3):518-23.
• ³
  Tekin R, Tekin RC, Avcı A. Giant Hydatid Cysts of the Lung and Liver. Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2020;53:e20190492.

• Financial Support: The authors declare that the article content was composed in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  19 Sept 2022
• Date of issue
  2022

History

• Received
  06 Apr 2022
• Accepted
  01 July 2022