Pulmonary echinococcosis: A rare pseudotumour of the lung

Cystic echinococcosis is a widely endemic helminthic disease worldwide but occurs only rarely in Central Europe. Humans are infected as ‘aberrant’ hosts by Echinococcus granulosus and develop cysts in numerous different organs. 20%–30% of the affected individuals develop hydatid disease in the lungs with associated complications including pleuritis, lung abscess and pneumothorax. Radiologically, the pulmonary lesions of cystic echinococcosis occasionally pose difficulties in the differential diagnosis of primary lung carcinoma or metastatic disease and vice versa. Herein we report on a case of pulmonary hydatid disease in a 25-year-old Iraqi male presenting with a cystic lesion of the lung associated with thoracic pain and involuntary weight loss. Despite of its rare occurrence in Central Europe, clinicians, radiologists and pathologists should be aware of this entity and its pulmonary manifestations. During frozen section examination, imprint cytology specimens may facilitate the detection of the pathogens.

Chronic pulmonary thromboembolism due to intracardiac and pulmonary hydatidosis

Hydatid disease remains a problem in endemic areas. The combination of both intracardiac and pulmonary hydatid disease in association with chronic pulmonary thromboembolism is a rare presentation. We report a case of a 14-year-old girl with hydatid disease of the lungs, right ventricle, and pulmonary arteries, presenting as chronic pulmonary thromboembolism. She underwent surgery for wedge resection of the pulmonary hydatid in the right lower lobe, removal of the right ventricular hydatid (under cardiopulmonary bypass), and pulmonary endarterectomy (under total circulatory arrest). Her postoperative recovery was uneventful.