Imaging cardiac hydatid cysts: 8 cases
Oueslati, S.; Saïd, W.; Saaidi, I.; Djebbi, M.; Charrada, L.; Rezgui, L.; Najla, M.; Châabane, M.
Presse Medicale 35(7-8): 1162-1166
2006
ISSN/ISBN: 0755-4982 PMID: 16840892 Document Number: 600611
Early diagnosis of cardiac echinococcosis is required because this uncommon disease may lead to serious complications. Eight cases of cardiac hydatidosis are reported, the modes of diagnosis are discussed, and the contribution of modern imaging techniques is described. All 8 patients reported had chest radiographs and thoracic computed tomography (CT) plates. Transthoracic sonography was performed in 6 cases and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in 5. The patients ranged in age from 7 to 46 years, and the clinical features of their disease varied. Chest radiography showed the contours of the heart to be deformed in 3 cases and cardiomegaly in 3 others. Echocardiography revealed a homogeneous unilocular hydatid cyst in 5 cases. CT found homogeneous hypodense unilocular lesions in 7 cases, and a septated cyst with cardiac wall calcifications in one case. MRI showed round homogeneous lesions in 3 cases, all dark in T1-weighted sequences and bright in T2. Clinical features varied substantially, and clinical latency was not uncommon. Chest radiography generally showed mediastinal masses. Transthoracic echocardiography can locate and count cardiac hydatid cysts and identify their borders. CT can simultaneously assess any visceral extension of the disease, while MRI provides details of mediastinal extensions.