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Mobile right atrial hydatid cyst with multiorgan involvement.
M Kanadaşi1, M Demirtaş, M San
1Department of Cardiology, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Adana, Turkey.
Summary
A rare case of cardiac echinococcosis (hydatid cysts) was diagnosed in a young woman using advanced imaging and serology. Surgical removal and medication successfully treated the multiple heart cysts.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Parasitology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Echinococcosis, a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus tapeworms, can rarely affect cardiac structures.
- Cardiac echinococcosis presents diagnostic challenges due to its infrequent occurrence and varied clinical manifestations.
Observation:
- A 25-year-old woman with a history of pulmonary hydatid cysts presented with cardiac involvement.
- Multiple hydatid cysts were identified in various cardiac locations using two-dimensional echocardiography.
- Diagnostic confirmation was achieved through computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for echinococcosis.
Findings:
- Surgical resection of a right atrial hydatid cyst was performed, with histopathology confirming the diagnosis.
- Postoperative treatment included oral albendazole, a standard antiparasitic medication.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering echinococcosis in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses, even in patients with known pulmonary involvement.
- Multimodality imaging and serological tests are crucial for accurate diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cysts.
- A multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and antiparasitic therapy is essential for managing cardiac echinococcosis.