Pleural complications of pulmonary hydatid disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and diagnostic features of pleural manifestations of pulmonary hydatid disease.


METHODS
Patients with pleural pathology in association with surgery for pulmonary hydatid disease over an 8-year period were evaluated.


RESULTS
Twenty-nine (6%) of 474 patients with histologically confirmed pulmonary hydatid disease had pleural abnormalities. The diagnosis was determined preoperatively in 22 patients and was based on radiographic, clinical, and/or serology findings. Bronchoscopic specimens were diagnostic in two of seven patients who had bronchoscopy. Five patients were not diagnosed until surgery. Radiographic abnormalities consisted of pleural thickening and/or free fluid without intrapleural rupture of the cysts in 21 patients. Eight patients had a hydropneumothorax. Sixteen patients had an exudative, uncomplicated effusion. The remaining patients had empyemas. All patients had resection of the pulmonary cysts, and 20 also underwent a pleurectomy. The mean length of hospital stay was 23 +/- 14 days. There was no hospital mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Pleural lesions associated with pulmonary hydatid disease are rare and have a variable radiographic appearance. In regions in which echinococcal disease is endemic, a high level of clinical suspicion is necessary for diagnosis and appropriate management of this condition.
Department of Pulmonology, SSK Sureyyapasa Center for Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery, Istanbul, Turkey. mkozvaran97@hotmail.com
Mustafa Kursat
MK
Ozvaran
Yesim
Y
Ersoy
Bahadir
B
Uskul
Ethem
E
Unver
Engin
E
Yalcin
Reha
R
Baran
Rodolfo C
RC
Morice
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed