Pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.
OBJECTIVE
Pulmonary cystic echinococcosis, a zoonosis caused by the larvae of the dog tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, is considered as a major public health problem in countries where dogs are used to care for large herds. Despite its frequency and widespread endemicity, the literature on pulmonary cystic echinococcosis is scarce and not systematic. We aimed to summarize currently available information to provide a comprehensive overview for clinicians facing cases of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis.


RESULTS
Despite discrepancies in the literature, some patterns can be discerned. The ratio of lung:liver involvement is higher in children than in adults. Most pulmonary cases are discovered incidentally on routine radiograph evaluation; also most infected individuals remain asymptomatic until the cyst enlarges sufficiently to cause symptoms. Symptoms are usually caused by mass effect from the cyst. Complications (cyst rupture, aggregated infection) change the clinical presentation, producing cough, chest pain, hemoptysis, or vomica. Diagnosis is obtained by chest radiographs or computed tomography, and supported by serology. Presurgical chemotherapy reduces the chances of seeding and recurrence. Treatment with benzimidazoles is an option when surgery is unavailable or complete removal is unfeasible.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnosis of pulmonary cystic echinococcosis is primarily made by imaging, and surgery remains the main therapeutic approach.
Santivanez
Saul
S
Center for Global Health and Department of Microbiology, School of Sciences, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Peru.
Garcia
Hector H
HH
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002648:Child; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D004445:Echinococcosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012698:Serologic Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome