Hydropneumothorax as a rare manifestation of primary pulmonary hydatid disease

Abstract

Echinococcosis, alternatively referred to as hydatid disease, is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus. The primary agents of human infections are Echinococcus granulosus and Echinococcus multilocularis. The present case report pertains to an individual who relocated from an endemic region to the United Arab Emirates and subsequently manifested symptoms of hydropneumothorax. The 44-year-old male patient presented with a 4-day fever and right-sided chest pain, accompanied by cough and breathlessness for 2 weeks. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed right hydropneumothorax and a ruptured hydatid cyst with consolidation. The patient was diagnosed with a ruptured pulmonary hydatid cyst based on a strongly positive hydatid serology and the presence of hydatid tissue on histopathological examination. The patient underwent surgical decortication with cyst removal and received medical treatment with ceftriaxone and albendazole. He was discharged in good condition after a 10-day hospitalisation period. Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease that most often affects the liver and lungs. Although more than half of the patients do not show any symptoms, the main symptoms observed during presentation include dry cough, haemoptysis, and chest pain. Plain radiographs or chest CT scans are used for diagnosis. Surgery is considered the primary treatment for pulmonary hydatid cysts and medical treatment with benzimidazoles (albendazole and mebendazole) is recommended. Complicated pulmonary hydatid disease can manifest in various ways, including hydropneumothorax, as observed in the present case. Early diagnosis, surgical intervention combined with medical treatment, and multidisciplinary teamwork can significantly improve patient outcomes.