Radiological findings of alveolar hydatid disease of the lung caused by Echinococcus multilocularis

Alveolar hydatid disease is a highly malignant form of echinococcosis caused by the larvae of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis. Alveolar hydatid disease always affects the liver and can metastasise to the lungs and brain. The case reports describe the radiological features of alveolar hydatid disease of the lung caused by E. multilocularis. Multiple nodules which varied in size and shape were seen on CXR, CT showed most nodules to be lobulated, well circumscribed and of varying shape. Multiple lobulated lesions located between two segments of the lung and of varying shape appear to be characteristic of pulmonary alveolar hydatid disease caused by E. multilocularis.