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Cardiac hydatid cyst associated with multiple organ involvement
Murat Muhtar Yilmazer1, Ilker Devrim, Vedide Tavli
1Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Dr. Behcet Uz Children's Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
Insights
A child presented with cough and chest pain, revealing multiple cysts in organs and an uncommon cardiac cyst. This case highlights rare cardiac echinococcosis, a serious parasitic infection.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Parasitology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Hydatid disease, caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus, is a significant global parasitic infection.
- While typically affecting organs like the liver and lungs, cardiac involvement is rare.
Observation:
- A 5-year-old boy exhibited persistent cough and chest pain.
- Imaging revealed hepatic and splenic cysts, alongside unexpected cardiac cysts on transthoracic echocardiography.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with echinococcal cysts in the liver, spleen, and notably, the left ventricle of the heart.
- This case underscores the potential for disseminated hydatid disease with cardiac manifestation.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare parasitic infections in pediatric patients with unexplained symptoms.
- Emphasizes the diagnostic utility of echocardiography in evaluating cardiac abnormalities, even in the absence of overt cardiovascular symptoms.
- Underscores the need for increased awareness of cardiac echinococcosis in endemic regions.
Abstract:
A 5-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with recurrent cough and chest pain for 2 months. Chest x-ray demonstrated multiple round opacities and abdominal tomography revealed two cyst formations in the liver and another one in the spleen. The boy had no cardiovascular symptoms, but transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was carried out to explore nonspecific T-wave alterations on the electrocardiogram. TTE revealed a single cyst in the posterior wall of the left ventricle. Hydatid disease is a serious worldwide cestode but, echinococcal involvement of the heart is uncommon.
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