Massive rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst associated with mechanical ventilation.
An 80-yr-old woman with a complicated Echinococcus cyst of the liver underwent endotracheal intubation with a simple endotracheal tube and conventional mechanical ventilation that led to massive rupture of the cyst into the bronchi followed by fatal anaphylactic shock. We believe that the currently recommended use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube during surgery in the pulmonary hydatid cysts should be extended to hydatid cysts of the liver with thoracic involvement.


CONCLUSIONS
We present a case of massive rupture of hepatic Echinococcus cyst associated with mechanical ventilation. We believe that the use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube could be crucial in the management of the hydatid cysts of the liver with thoracic involvement.
Intensive Care Unit, Hellenic Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece. aanthi@mail.cc.nih.gov
Anastasia
A
Anthi
Chrisostomos
C
Katsenos
Stavroula
S
Georgopoulou
Konstantinos
K
Mandragos
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D012421:Rupture