Pulmonary hydatid cyst with complicating Aspergillus infection presenting as a refractory lung abscess

Basic Operative Tactics for Pulmonary Echinococcosis in the Era of Endostaplers and Energy Devices

Human echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection caused by the larvae of the tapeworm species Echinococcus. The liver is the most common location for a primary echinococcosis. However, the parasite may bypass or spread from the liver to the lungs, causing primary or secondary pulmonary echinococcosis, respectively. Pulmonary echinococcosis is a clinically challenging condition in which anthelminthic regiments are important, but surgery has the central role in removing the cysts and preventing recurrences. Surgical treatment may involve cystotomy, enucleation, capitonnage, or atypical resections, which occasionally are in combination with hepatic procedures. The utilization of modern devices is greatly underdescribed in surgery for thoracic infections, even though these facilitate much of the work. Therefore, this article aims to describe pulmonary echinococcosis and the role of modern surgical devices in the treatment process. Furthermore, we report surgical treatment of three different cases of pulmonary echinococcosis. Surgeries of uncomplicated and ruptured hepatic or pulmonary cysts are described. Simple small pulmonary echinococcal lesions can be excised by endostaplers both for diagnostic and curative reasons. Larger cysts can be removed by energy devices unless large bronchial air leaks occur. Complicated cysts require treatment by more extensive techniques. Inexperienced surgeons should not abstain but should carefully decide preoperatively how to proceed.

Hydatid disease with Aspergilloma: A unique case report

The coexisting presence of hydatid disease with aspergillus colonization is a rare finding. The 20-year-old presented with symptoms of hemoptysis with past history of tuberculosis. On further evaluation, the patient was diagnosed as a case of aspergilloma and managed conservatively. After one year of presenting with similar complaints, the patient was turned out to be hydatid disease with aspergillus colonization on the basis of clinic-radiological and bronchoscopic evaluation. Till now only a few case reports have been reported. We report a unique case report of a similar presentation.

Lung abscess-etiology, diagnostic and treatment options

Lung abscess is a type of liquefactive necrosis of the lung tissue and formation of cavities (more than 2 cm) containing necrotic debris or fluid caused by microbial infection. It can be caused by aspiration, which may occur during altered consciousness and it usually causes a pus-filled cavity. Moreover, alcoholism is the most common condition predisposing to lung abscesses. Lung abscess is considered primary (60%) when it results from existing lung parenchymal process and is termed secondary when it complicates another process, e.g., vascular emboli or follows rupture of extrapulmonary abscess into lung. There are several imaging techniques which can identify the material inside the thorax such as computerized tomography (CT) scan of the thorax and ultrasound of the thorax. Broad spectrum antibiotic to cover mixed flora is the mainstay of treatment. Pulmonary physiotherapy and postural drainage are also important. Surgical procedures are required in selective patients for drainage or pulmonary resection. In the current review we will present all current information from diagnosis to treatment.

Ruptured pulmonary hydatid disease mimicking a lung mass: diagnosed by flexible video bronchoscopy

Echinococcosis is frequently seen in an endemic country like India. The vast majority of infestations in humans are caused by Echinococcosis granulosus. The cyst is most commonly seen in the liver in about 74% of the cases, followed by pulmonary involvement in about 24% of cases. In our case report, a 25-year-old man presented with a mass-like lesion in the upper and middle lobe of the right lung. The patient had deteriorated clinically as the mass like opacity grew in size. Here, we have highlighted an uncommon presentation of hydatid disease of the lung diagnosed by video bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) as clinico-radiological examination along with FNAC (fine-needle aspiration cytology) of the lesion proved insufficient tools to make a diagnosis.