We report the case of a 29-year-old female who
had been suffering from palpitation for two months.
Investigations at another institution revealed a
cystic lesion within the mediastinum next to the
heart, and surgery was performed at that facility.
An intrapericardial cystic lesion was discovered
during the procedure that was located in the left
atrium and ventricle. Moreover, it was stated that the
lesion might have been invading the heart. Therefore,
after that operation was completed, the patient was
referred to our center for a surgical approach involving
cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Echocardiographic
and computed tomographic (CT) investigations were
repeated at our clinic, and they showed a giant cystic
lesion adjacent to the lateral left ventricular wall along
with a homogenous soft tissue measuring 16 mm at the
basal region of the right hemi-lung that was consistent with another cystic lesion. Our patient underwent a
sternotomy, and CPB was established. During the
procedure, a mass lesion measuring 10x10 cm on the
left ventricular myocardium was explored, which was
consistent with a hydatid cyst (Figure
1). The clear
liquid within the cystic lesion was aspirated, and the
cyst was irrigated with 3% sodium chloride (NaCl)
solution. The germinative membrane was also removed
(Figures
2 and
3), and capitonnage of the cystic structure
was performed. A cystic lesion measuring 2x2 cm
located within the lower lobe of right hemi-lung was
then enucleated (Figure
4). The postoperative period
was event-free, and the patient was then discharged
on eighth postoperative day with a prescription for
subsequent treatment with albendazole (400 mg/d). A
histopathological examination confirmed the diagnosis
of a hydatid cyst (Figures
5 and
6). No recurrence was
observed througout 2 years of follow-up.
Figure 1: Intraoperative view of the giant cystic mass on the left
ventricular myocardium.
Figure 2: Aspiration of the clear fluid in the giant cystic lesion on
the left ventricular myocardium.
Figure 3: View of the removal of the opened cystic structure with
its germinative membrane.
Figure 4: Enucleation procedure of the mass lesion in the lower
lobe of the right hemi-lung that was consistent with a hydatid cyst.
Figure 5: View of the cuticular membrane of the hydatid cyst
within the lung tissue (H-E x 100).
Figure 6: View of the cuticular membrane and daughter vesicles
of the hydatid cyst within the heart tissue (H-E x 40).