Hydatid Cyst of Right Atrium

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Radiology

Background:

• Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by Echinococcus granulosus.
• Hydatid cysts in the heart, particularly the right atrium, are exceptionally uncommon.
• Patients may present with varied symptoms or be asymptomatic, often discovered incidentally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of a large right atrial hydatid cyst.
• To emphasize the diagnostic utility of echocardiography and computed tomography (CT) in identifying cardiac hydatid disease.
• To discuss the clinical implications for patients undergoing noncardiac surgery.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of a 70-year-old male with NYHA class II dyspnea.
• Diagnostic workup including electrocardiogram (ECG), echocardiography, and noncontrast contrast-enhanced computed tomography (NC CECT) of the thorax.
• Imaging findings of a large cystic mass in the right atrium.

Main Results:

• ECG revealed normal sinus rhythm and right atrial enlargement.
• Echocardiography demonstrated a large cystic mass occupying three-fourths of the right atrium.
• NC CECT confirmed a well-defined cystic lesion with heterogeneous contents and wall calcification, measuring 8.1 × 8.3 × 8.4 cm, suggestive of a hydatid cyst.

Conclusions:

• Large hydatid cysts in the right atrium are rare but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cardiac masses.
• Advanced imaging modalities like echocardiography and CT are crucial for accurate diagnosis and characterization.
• Preoperative evaluation for noncardiac surgery must include thorough cardiac assessment to identify potentially life-threatening conditions like cardiac echinococcosis.