Summary

The authors report a case of a 20-year-old woman who was diagnosed with pulmonary cystic echinococcosis. She was admitted to hospital with a 1-week history of unresolving cough, coloured sputum with occasional haemoptysis and fever despite oral antibiotics. Radiology revealed a cavitating right lower lobe lung abscess. After 4 weeks of treatment, follow-up radiology showed incomplete resolution. Bronchoscopy revealed a white, avascular cystic lesion in the right lower lobe and serology testing for Echinococcus granulosus was positive. Repeat imaging eventually confirmed the cystic lesion with the 'air bubble'sign. A thorough travel history, a high index of clinical suspicion and close follow-up are essential in making a diagnosis of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.