title: Solitary pericardial hydatid cyst.
abstract: Hydatid cyst of the heart is an uncommon presentation of human echinococcosis which may lead to life-threatening conditions. Diagnosis should be suspected in every case of cyst-like mass in persons coming from areas where echinococcus granulosus is endemic. Echocardiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging can help in the differential diagnosis of the lesion. Even if some reports of successful therapy with benzimidazoles have been described, the treatment of choice is the surgical excision of the cyst. Pericardiectomy with cyst removal is feasible with low morbidity and mortality rates even in elder patients. The authors describe the successful surgical management of a single giant pericardial hydatid cyst in a 78-year-old woman from North Africa.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Maggiore della Carità General Hospital, Novara, Italy. ottavio.rena@tiscalinet.it
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rena
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Garavoglia
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Francini
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bellora
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Oliaro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casadio
mesh_terms: D000352:Africa, Northern; D000368:Aged; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000923:Anticestodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology; D015505:Chest Tubes; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004322:Drainage; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D018579:Patient Selection; D010492:Pericardiectomy; D010496:Pericardium; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000923:Anticestodal Agents; D015766:Albendazole