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Case Reports: Rare disease
Isolated pulmonary hydatid cyst
  1. Sabrina Beacom1,
  2. Priya Nand2,
  3. Parampreet Singh1 and
  4. Anil Harrison3
  1. 1Internal Medicine, St. Joseph Medical Center, Stockton, California, USA
  2. 2Infectious Diseases, Touro University, Stockton, California, USA
  3. 3Internal Medicine, West Florida Hospital, Pensacola, Florida, USA
  1. Correspondence to Dr Priya Nand; priya.nand{at}mytumg.org

Abstract

Echinococcosis is primarily a disease of developing nations with poor medical infrastructure, where cohabitation with domesticated animals is common. These conditions, in conjunction with the inherent chronicity of the disease, lead to low rates of diagnosis and high morbidity. Robust surveillance is not readily available in communities with the highest disease burden.

WHO classifications assist in diagnostic and treatment endeavours especially in countries where this disease is not commonly encountered. However, the understanding of the pathophysiology of echinococcosis and optimal treatment are still lacking in certain patient populations.

We present the case of a female from Central Asia with an isolated pulmonary hydatid cyst. She was diagnosed several months after she had an uncomplicated pregnancy and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Due to a delay in surgical intervention, our patient received a prolonged course of treatment which resulted in a significant reduction in the size of the cyst. Given her improvement, we questioned the current guidelines set by the WHO regarding surgical resection of pulmonary hydatid cysts, compared with an extended course with albendazole in patients with an unusual and protracted course of the disease. Furthermore, we discuss the possible role of pregnancy in exacerbating symptoms of underlying pulmonary hydatid disease.

  • Infections
  • Pneumonia (infectious disease)
  • Tropical medicine (infectious disease)
  • Migration and health
  • Cardiothoracic surgery

http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2023-254876

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    Footnotes

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    • Contributors SB, PS, AH and PN were responsible for drafting of the text, sourcing and editing of clinical images, investigation results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms, and critical revision for important intellectual content. SB, PS, AH and PN gave final approval of the manuscript. PN provided and cared for study patient, served as a scientific advisor, critically reviewed the literature and authored this case report. AH served as a scientific advisor, critically reviewed the literature and authored this case report. SB provided and cared for study patient, critically reviewed the literature and authored this case report. PS provided and cared for study patient, critically reviewed the literature and authored this case report.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.