[Hydatid cyst of the mediastinum: 14 case reports].
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to describe the different radiological features of the hydatid cyst of the mediastinum.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study on 14 patients (seven women, seven men), diagnosed with mediastinal hydatid cyst, aged 13-67 years (mean, 48 years) over a period of 16 years in our hospital where 71 cases of hydatid disease are annually diagnosed. The patients were explored by chest radiography (n=14), chest ultrasonography (n=10), abdomen ultrasonography (n=14), computed tomography (CT scan) (n=13), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (n=8).


RESULTS
The chest x-ray showed an opacity of the anterior (n=11), middle (n=1), and posterior (n=1) mediastinum. The thoracic ultrasound confirmed the liquid nature of the mass with a multivesicular aspect (n=9). CT and thoracic MRI made it possible to precisely locate the mediastinal compartment involved and study the relationship to adjacent structures. A purely mediastinal location was found in only six cases. In the remaining cases, it was associated with hepatic (n=7) and pleural (n=1) locations.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydatid cysts of the mediastinum are very uncommon. Diagnosis can be made by chest sonography. CT scan is the main tool for diagnosis and the study of possible extension. Our study showed a more frequent location to the anterior mediastinum.
Zidi
A
A
Service d'imagerie médicale Hôpital Abderrahmane Mami, Ariana, 2080-Tunisie. asma1634@rns.tn
Zannad-Hantous
S
S
Mestiri
I
I
Ghrairi
H
H
Baccouche
I
I
Djilani
H
H
Ben Miled Mrad
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008476:Mediastinal Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000469:parasitology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography