[Localization of hydatid cysts in the left hemidiaphragm. Description of a case]

The authors studied a 43-YR. old woman with a hydatid cyst, localized in the left diaphragm and extending into the left lung and the liver. De to difficulties in diagnosing the type, location, and extension of the lesion and its nonspecific symptoms, hydatid cysts are frequently not considered outside the endemic areas when formulating a differential diagnosis. Chest and abdominal CAT scanning permits a satisfactory definition of both the type of process and its topographical relationships. This permits the most appropriate surgical route to be chosen in performing a left thoracotomy in order to surgically afford the abdominal component of the cyst. This proved easy to remove, despite the existence of a tangle of adhesions, and had a favourable outcome, both immediately after surgery, and with long term follow-up.