Echinococcal Cyst of the Pericardium

Ferris M. Hall, M.D.

N Engl J Med 1995; 333:165July 20, 1995

Slide

Article

Figure 1 A 56-year-old man from Saudi Arabia presented with dyspnea. A chest film (Panel A) revealed a large mass in the left hemithorax, with contralateral mediastinal shift and depression of the gas-filled stomach (arrow). Computed tomography after the injection of intravenous contrast medium (Panel B and Panel C) showed a large multilocular cyst in the left hemithorax with contralateral displacement of mediastinal structures, including the trachea (T), the ascending aorta (AA) and the descending aorta (DA), the superior vena cava (SVC), and the right pulmonary artery (RPA). The left main bronchus (arrow) and left pulmonary artery (LPA) were compressed. Thoracotomy, performed in an attempt to remove the lesion, resulted in decompression and rupture of both the cyst and the left pulmonary artery, and the patient became exsanguinated. The unruptured daughter cysts, some of which are shown in Panel D, contained echinococcus granulosus scolices.

Kim Eagle, M.D.

Ferris M. Hall, M.D.
Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, MA 02215

Citing Articles (1)