Spontaneous rupture of a giant diaphragmatic hydatid cyst into the intrapleural space.
OBJECTIVE
We report a case of giant diaphragmatic hydatid cyst which ruptured spontaneously into the intrapleural space in a patient with coexistent giant hepatic hydatid cyst.


METHODS
A 62-year-old female was admitted for dyspnea, nausea, vomiting, and right thoracic pain. Clinical findings, laboratory and radiological examinations including multislice computed tomography scan were consistent with the diagnosis of a giant diaphragmatic hydatid cyst which ruptured into the intrapleural space. Surgical intervention was performed through thoracotomy and phrenotomy in a one-stage operation for both cysts.


CONCLUSIONS
This case shows that hydatid cysts of the diaphragm can rupture into the intrapleural space spontaneously. One-stage operation through thoracotomy may be successful for the surgical intervention for diaphragmatic hydatid cysts with coexistent hepatic cyst.
Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Nephrology), Faculty of Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey. dervisoglue@yahoo.com
Erkan
E
Dervisoglu
Salih
S
Topcu
Serife Tuba
ST
Liman
Ahmet
A
Yilmaz
D003964:Diaphragm; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004444:Echinococcosis, Hepatic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D035422:Pleural Cavity; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome