Cardiac hydatidosis: enigmatic presentation of enigmatic diagnosis: a case report.
- 1Department of Cardiology, SGPGIMS, Raebreli Road, Lucknow, UP 226014, India.
- 2Department of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery, SGPGIMS, Raebreli Road, Lucknow, UP 226014, India.
Abstract
Background
In endemic countries, hydatid disease is often overlooked because of its non-specific clinical presentation and the limited use of multimodality imaging. Unusual anatomical locations and atypical presentations further complicate diagnosis. Multimodality imaging not only helps to confirm the diagnosis but also plays a crucial role in treatment planning.Case summary
A 45-year-old man from a rural area presented with a 2-year history of haemoptysis and exertional dyspnoea. He had received antitubercular therapy for 1 year without improvement. Subsequent computed tomography angiography at a secondary care centre suggested pulmonary thromboembolism, and he was referred to our centre for further evaluation. He also had a history of foul-smelling cough and peripheral eosinophilia, without any identifiable risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism. Routine echocardiography revealed a large multi-cystic mass attached to the basal interventricular septum and protruding into the right ventricular outflow tract. Hydatid disease was strongly suspected and subsequently confirmed by serological testing and transoesophageal echocardiography. Cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to better define the nature, location, and extent of the lesion. The patient was treated with albendazole followed by uneventful surgical excision and remains asymptomatic on follow-up.Conclusion
This case illustrates a rare presentation of cardiac hydatidosis masquerading as pulmonary embolism. Multimodality imaging was essential in characterizing the lesion, defining its anatomic extent, and guiding management. Surgical excision can be performed safely when carefully planned, and perioperative chemotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence.
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BibTeX
@article{dadarwal2026cardiac,
title = {{Cardiac hydatidosis: enigmatic presentation of enigmatic diagnosis: a case report.}},
author = {Anurodh Dadarwal and Aditya Kapoor and Shantanu Pande and Ankit Sahu},
journal = {European heart journal. Case reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/ehjcr/ytag740},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948625},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Cardiac hydatidosis: enigmatic presentation of enigmatic diagnosis: a case report.
AU - Anurodh Dadarwal
AU - Aditya Kapoor
AU - Shantanu Pande
AU - Ankit Sahu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/13
JO - European heart journal. Case reports
DO - 10.1093/ehjcr/ytag740
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948625
AB - Background In endemic countries, hydatid disease is often overlooked because of its non-specific clinical presentation and the limited use of multimodality imaging. Unusual anatomical locations and atypical presentations further complicate diagnosis. Multimodality imaging not only helps to confirm the diagnosis but also plays a crucial role in treatment planning.Case summary A 45-year-old man from a rural area presented with a 2-year history of haemoptysis and exertional dyspnoea. He had received antitubercular therapy for 1 year without improvement. Subsequent computed tomography angiography at a secondary care centre suggested pulmonary thromboembolism, and he was referred to our centre for further evaluation. He also had a history of foul-smelling cough and peripheral eosinophilia, without any identifiable risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism. Routine echocardiography revealed a large multi-cystic mass attached to the basal interventricular septum and protruding into the right ventricular outflow tract. Hydatid disease was strongly suspected and subsequently confirmed by serological testing and transoesophageal echocardiography. Cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to better define the nature, location, and extent of the lesion. The patient was treated with albendazole followed by uneventful surgical excision and remains asymptomatic on follow-up.Conclusion This case illustrates a rare presentation of cardiac hydatidosis masquerading as pulmonary embolism. Multimodality imaging was essential in characterizing the lesion, defining its anatomic extent, and guiding management. Surgical excision can be performed safely when carefully planned, and perioperative chemotherapy reduces the risk of recurrence.
SN - 2514-2119
ER -