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Updated: Jun 6, 2026
09:04
Isolation And Dendritic Cell-Uptake of Small Extracellular Vesicles from Echinococcus granulosus
Published on: March 28, 2025
Heart echinococcus cyst as an incidental finding: early detection might be life-saving
Grigorios Tsigkas1, Konstantinos Chouchoulis, Efstratios Apostolakis
1Department of Cardiology, Patras University School of Medicine, Patras, Greece. gregtsig@hotmail.com
Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery
|December 15, 2010
Summary
A rare case of heart echinococcosis was diagnosed in a smoker presenting with hemoptysis. Surgical cyst removal combined with chemotherapy offers the best outcomes for this dangerous parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Echinococcosis, a parasitic disease, can rarely affect the heart, posing a significant risk due to potential cyst rupture.
- Cardiac echinococcosis often presents insidiously, making early diagnosis challenging.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old female smoker presented with hemoptysis, leading to diagnostic imaging.
- Echocardiography and Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) confirmed cardiac echinococcosis.
Findings:
- Surgical excision of the hydatid cyst was performed.
- The patient experienced an uneventful recovery with positive follow-up at six and twelve months.
Implications:
- Integrated treatment involving surgical extraction and peri/postoperative chemotherapy is crucial for managing heart echinococcosis.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention improve patient outcomes for this rare but potentially fatal condition.
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