Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Murine Fetal Echocardiography
Published on: February 15, 2013
Hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum
Endale Tefera1, Joseph Knapp2, Michael Teodori3
1Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, Cardiology Division, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Cardiac echinococcosis is rare but dangerous. This case report details a 9-year-old girl with a hydatid cyst in the interventricular septum, highlighting rare cardiac manifestations of echinococcosis.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Parasitology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Human echinococcosis is typically hepatic or pulmonary.
- Cardiac involvement is uncommon but associated with severe, life-threatening complications.
Observation:
- A 9-year-old girl presented with a hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum.
- This diagnosis occurred four years after initial treatment for pulmonary hydatidosis.
Findings:
- The case highlights a rare presentation of echinococcosis with cardiac involvement.
- Management and follow-up strategies for such rare cases are crucial.
Implications:
- Early recognition and management of cardiac echinococcosis are vital for patient outcomes.
- This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections in cardiac pathology.
Abstract:
While cardiac involvement is not a common presentation in human echinococcosis, it may lead to life-threatening complications including cyst rupture; anaphylactic shock; tamponade; pulmonary, cerebral or peripheral arterial embolism; acute coronary syndrome; dysrhythmias; infection; ventricular or valvular dysfunction, as well as sudden death. Here we report a 9-year old girl who was diagnosed to have hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum four years after diagnosis and medical treatment of pulmonary hydatidosis. Presentation, management and follow-up of the patient is discussed.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Chambers of the Heart
Deoxygenated blood from the body is received in the right...
Anatomy of the Brain: Ventricles
Development of the Heart
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart...
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

