Case report

Giant viable hydatid cyst of the lung: a case report

Nagi Homesh Ghallab and Ali Ali Alsabahi

Surgical Department Sana'a University and El-thawra Teaching Hospital, Sana'a, Yemen

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:359doi:10.1186/1752-1947-2-359

Published:	25 November 2008

Abstract

Introduction

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.

Case presentation

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 × 18 × 5 cm.

Conclusion

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.