Giant viable hydatid cyst of the lung: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Hydatid disease is a parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus. The resulting large cysts in the lung are a special clinical entity called giant hydatid cysts.


METHODS
An 18-year-old Yemeni woman presented with a dry cough and mild fever, with no history of chest pain, dyspnoea or weight loss. Chest X-ray revealed a homogenous opacity almost replacing the right lung. The patient underwent surgery which revealed a large, viable hydatid cyst measuring 26 x 18 x 5 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report provides evidence that non-complicated hydatid cysts, even if very large, have a good prognosis and can be safely treated by parenchyma-preserving surgery.
Ghallab
Nagi Homesh
NH
Surgical Department Sana'a University and El-thawra Teaching Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen. nagihomesh@yahoo.com
Alsabahi
Ali Ali
AA