Massive pulmonary embolism due to hydatid cysts: A rare postoperative complication of liver echinococcosis

Abstract

Pulmonary embolism due to hydatid cysts is a very rare pathology. A 55-year-old male was transferred to our hospital due to respiratory failure, as a result of left pulmonary artery obstruction by cystic lesions. His medical history included multiple operations for abdominal echinococcosis. He was urgently operated for the extraction of the proximal hydatid cysts with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass with an excellent outcome and six months later through a right thoracotomy for the distal right pulmonary artery, the cysts were extracted. Meanwhile, he followed additional medication treatment with albendazole, preoperatively as well as postoperatively. Today, 5 years later, he has no evidence of hydatidosis recurrence.

Keywords

• Hydatid disease
• Echinococcosis
• Hydatidosis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Surgery