[Massive pulmonary embolism due to hydatid vesicles. Report of a case (author's transl)]

A patient with hepatic and peritoneal hydatidosis suffered acute episodes of restrictive bronchial disease for the last 2 years. The patient was admitted during the course of one of this acute episodes with clinical symptoms of pulmonary embolism. Supportive therapeutic measures were prescribed, but the patient died 12 hours latter. Autopsy revealed hepatic, peritoneal and pulmonary hidatidosis as well as multiple pulmonary thromboembolisms due to hydatid vesicles. Literature on this subject is reviewed, and different clinical forms and therapeutic possibilities are discussed. The importance of small therapeutic possibilities are discussed. The importance of small recurrent hydatid embolisms in the pathogenesis of acute or subacute cor pulmonale in patients with liver hydatidosis is stressed.