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Volume 27, Issue 134, April 2023

Hydatid cyst masquerading as empyema leading to benign pulmonary neoplasm: A diagnostic challenge

Saran K Chacko¹, Ulhas Jadhav¹, Babaji Ghewade¹, Pankaj Wagh¹, Reshma Babu¹, Gaurang Aurangabadkar¹, Roshan Prasad²

¹Department of Respiratory Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India
²Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Sawangi, Wardha, Maharashtra, India

ABSTRACT

Hydatid cyst (HC) is a disease that occurs due to the parasite Echinococcus (EC) and the most typical infection in humans with hydatid disease is caused by the species granulosus. The most frequent site for cyst development is the liver, followed by the lung which is the second most common location. Therefore, this case report highlights a case of a 75-year-old male who presented with chief complaints of left-sided chest pain, dyspnoea, cough and mucoid expectoration since one month and was initially thought as empyema. A diagnostic assessment was performed involving computed tomography suggested possibility of a hydatid cyst. Serological tests positive for Echinococcus granulosus. The treatment parameters involved both surgical and medical approaches. Thoracotomy was performed along with the post-operative medical treatment that mainly involved antihelminthics (Albendazole) and patient recovered well with treatment. This report highlights that large hydatid cysts can be surgically removed with good outcomes and the importance of realizing that the disease is a burden to public health and is much neglected.

Keywords: Hydatid Cyst, Echinococcus granulosus, Pulmonary Neoplasm