Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
Radiological characteristics of pulmonary hydatid disease in children: less common radiological appearances
1Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, Zonguldak Karaelmas University, 67600 Kozlu/Zonguldak, Turkey. sunarerdem@yahoo.com
Insights
Computed tomography (CT) is superior to chest roentgenogram for diagnosing pulmonary hydatid disease (PHD) in children. CT imaging reveals more details of complicated cysts, aiding in accurate preoperative localization and diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Pediatric Imaging
- Parasitic Diseases
Background:
- Pulmonary hydatid disease (PHD) is a parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
- Accurate imaging is crucial for diagnosis and management of PHD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic capabilities of chest roentgenogram and CT in pediatric pulmonary hydatid disease.
Main Methods:
- A study of 47 pediatric patients with surgically confirmed PHD.
- Analysis of chest roentgenograms, CT scans, and laboratory findings.
Main Results:
- CT detected 79 cysts, while chest roentgenogram identified 57.
- CT revealed characteristic signs like the inverse crescent sign and dry cyst sign.
- Complicated cysts, including infected and calcified ones, were better visualized with CT.
Conclusions:
- Chest roentgenogram is useful for intact cysts, but CT provides superior detail for complicated PHD.
- CT imaging is recommended for accurate localization and characterization of pulmonary hydatid cysts before surgery.
- The inverse crescent sign is a notable CT finding in PHD.
Objective:
To evaluate the chest roentgenogram and CT characteristics of pulmonary hydatid disease (PHD).
Material And Methods:
Forty-seven (27 male and 20 female, aged between 3 and 11 years) consecutive pediatric patients with surgically proven pulmonary hydatid cysts were enrolled for the study. Posteroanterior and lateral chest roentgenograms, CT of the chest, and laboratory findings (latex agglutination, Casoni skin test, and eosinophil count) were obtained from all of the patients. The radiological features (localization, internal architecture, number, diameter) were determined.
Results:
On CT examination, a total of 79 cysts were determined. On chest roentgenogram, 57 of 79 cysts were detected in all patients. Single cysts were seen in 33 patients, while multiple cysts were seen in 14. Median CT density of the cysts was 21 Hounsfield units (HU) (0-80). There were six giant cysts (>10 cm of cyst diameter). The crescent sign, water lily sign, and air-fluid level were seen in two, five and eight of the cysts, respectively. Apart from the classically described features of pulmonary hydatid cysts of the lung, a crescent-shaped rim of air at the lower end of the cyst (inverse crescent sign) was detected in three cysts. All of the liquid content of the cyst was expelled to the bronchial system (dry cyst sign) was observed in seven cysts. There were two infected cysts. Heavily calcified curvilinear cyst wall was present in one cyst. Pericystic reaction in the lung tissue was observed in five patients. Other features included pleural effusion (n=2), mediastinal shift (n=6) and atelectasis (n=7).
Conclusions:
Chest roentgenogram is helpful for diagnosis of intact cysts but, it is impossible to define entire morphology of the complicated cysts. CT imaging recognize certain details of the lesions and discover others that are not visible by conventional radiography. In conclusion, CT examination should be done to elucidate cystic nature of the lung mass and for accurate localization in the preoperative period. In addition, inverse crescent sign should be recognized as feature of pulmonary hydatid cysts on CT.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
01:31Pulmonary Tuberculosis III
The first classification is based on the development of the disease, and it includes the following categories:
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:23Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
01:28Pulmonary Tuberculosis II
Here is a detailed explanation of its pathophysiology:
Transmission: The process begins when a person inhales droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis. These are typically released into the air when an individual with pulmonary or...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...