Pulmonary hydatidosis: clinical profile and follow up from an endemic region

The aim of this case series was to study the clinical presentation, treatment and outcome of pulmonary hydatid cyst disease at a tertiary care centre.

A retrospective review of case records was carried out to collect demographic, clinical and outcome data on patients with pulmonary hydatid disease, treated over a 10 year period.

A total of 49 cases were included in the series. The most common presenting complaint was cough. Twenty-four per cent had bilateral lung involvement whereas 38% had both lung and liver involvement. Surgery was carried out in 38 cases. Surgical treatment was supplemented by pre-op and post-op chemotherapies. Muscle-preserving thoracotomy and cystectomy were most commonly carried out. Nineteen (39%) patients had post-op complications; however, there was no death. Ten patients were lost to follow up. Mean follow up was for 18 months without any recurrence.

Pakistan is an endemic area for the disease. The patients in our series were relatively younger as compared with those in other reports. Surgery is the treatment of choice for hydatid disease and has good results. Pre-op and post-op chemotherapies decrease the risk of intraoperative infection and recurrence. Chest X-ray and abdominal ultrasound should be carried out in case of even minimum clinical suspicion, especially in endemic areas.