[Pulmonary hydatidosis. Comparison of cytology and scanning electron microscopy]

The puncture of a hydatid cyst with a fine needle is not generally recommended as a procedure and may even be contra-indicated in the first instance. Sometimes, however, the cytologist will be surprised to discover some scolices in the aspirate when the radiology is misleading, or not suggestive, and the serology is negative. We report two cases where the diagnosis was made by the cytological examination of the aspirate. The cytological study of the liquids was compared with electron microscopy scanning, enabling the stages of development of the parasite in the tissue of the pulmonary parenchyma to be assessed.