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Cardiac hydatid cyst in a child.
A A Ben-Musa1, H Singh, A H Shembesh
1Department of Pediatrics, Al Fatah Children's Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Al Arab Medical University, Benghazi, Libya.
Clinical Pediatrics
|July 1, 1990
Summary
Hydatid disease, a parasitic infection, is rare in children. This case highlights a pediatric patient with a cardiac hydatid cyst, diagnosed via echocardiography and serology.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Parasitology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus parasites, is endemic in the Middle East.
- Pediatric presentation of hydatid disease is uncommon due to slow cyst growth.
- Cardiac involvement by hydatid cysts is exceptionally rare across all age groups.
Observation:
- This report details a rare case of cardiac hydatid cyst in a pediatric patient.
- The cyst was located in the posterior wall of the left ventricle.
- Diagnosis was confirmed using two-dimensional echocardiography and serological tests.
Findings:
- A 3-month course of mebendazole therapy showed partial effectiveness.
- The patient remained asymptomatic two years post-diagnosis.
- This case represents a rare instance of cardiac hydatid cyst in a child, contrasting with recent literature focusing on adult patients.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering rare diagnoses like cardiac hydatid disease in pediatric patients.
- Emphasizes the utility of advanced imaging modalities like echocardiography in diagnosing such conditions.
- Suggests potential for long-term asymptomatic outcomes even with partial treatment response.