title: [Hydatid cyst of the heart and vessels, four cases].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The lung is the most frequent location of hydatid cysts (HC). Cardiac and vascular HC are rare, and the primary location in the pulmonary artery is exceptional.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report three cases of right cardiac HC cyst revealed by pulmonary hydatidosis, and 1 case of a primary HC of the pulmonary artery revealed by haemoptysis. Treatment consisted in surgical resection of the cardiac and pulmonary artery HC. Post-surgical antiparasite chemotherapy, based on albendazole, was prescribed for all patients. The evolution was towards a post pneumonectomy syndrome in the patient with a HC in the pulmonary artery, major pulmonary hypertension in the case of pulmonary embolic hydatidosis and an extension of the hydatid lesions in the third patient. Treatment is ongoing in the fourth patient with the development of many parenchymatous cysts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cardiac and vascular hydatid cysts are rare and of bad prognosis. These cardiac and vascular cysts are of poor prognosis because of the risk of rupture and hematogenic dissemination. Treatments are only partially effective and more importance should be given to preventive treatment.
authors.affiliation: Service de pneumologie B, Hôpital A. Mami Ariana, Tunisie. hediagh@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Hedia
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ghrairi
authors.forename: Mohamed Anis
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khouadja
authors.forename: Maher
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abouda
authors.forename: Jamel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ammar
authors.forename: Saoussen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hantous
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kilani
authors.forename: Agnes
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hamzaoui
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000923:Anticestodal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000469:parasitology; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D006469:Hemoptysis / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000469:parasitology; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011379:Prognosis; D011651:Pulmonary Artery; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000469:parasitology; D035583:Rare Diseases; D012307:Risk Factors; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D014652:Vascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D000923:Anticestodal Agents; D015766:Albendazole