Stroke: a rare presentation of cardiac hydatidosis

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 23, 2026

Transient Transduction of the Strobilated Forms of Echinococcus granulosus
13:25

Transient Transduction of the Strobilated Forms of Echinococcus granulosus

Published on: September 16, 2022

N P Singh1, S K Arora, A Gupta

  • 1Department of Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College and Lok Navak Hospital, MR Centre, New Delhi, India. nanu_singh@yahoo.com

Neurology India
|July 17, 2003
PubMed

Insights

A pediatric stroke case highlights a rare diagnosis: a hydatid cyst in the heart causing a hemorrhagic infarct. This finding underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections in neurological events.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Pediatric stroke is a significant clinical challenge.
  • Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, typically affects the liver and lungs.
  • Cardiac involvement is rare, especially in pediatric cases.

Observation:

  • A 13-year-old male presented with acute right-sided hemiparesis.
  • Brain CT revealed a hemorrhagic infarct in the left basal ganglia.
  • Echocardiography identified a hydatid cyst in the right atrium extending to the left atrium.
  • A hepatic hydatid cyst was also noted.

Findings:

  • The patient experienced an acute stroke secondary to a cardiac hydatid cyst.
  • The cardiac cyst was the likely embolic source causing the hemorrhagic infarct.
  • Concurrent hepatic hydatid disease was present.

Implications:

  • This case emphasizes the need to consider parasitic etiologies, such as hydatid disease, in the differential diagnosis of pediatric stroke.
  • Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing cardiac hydatid cysts.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management of cardiac hydatidosis are vital to prevent embolic events and neurological complications.

More Related Videos

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model03:45

Investigating the Pathogenesis of MYH7 Mutation Gly823Glu in Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy using a Mouse Model

Published on: August 8, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Toxoplasmosis01:28

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, poses significant public health challenges globally due to its high seroprevalence and varied clinical manifestations. As an obligate intracellular parasite, T. gondii can infect all warm-blooded vertebrates, but felids are its only definitive hosts, shedding unsporulated oocysts into the environment. Humans typically acquire the infection through ingestion of tissue cysts in undercooked meat or oocysts from...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...