A Potentially Fatal Error in Diagnosis of a Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst

Echinococcosis is still an important public health challenge in endemic areas that is associated with considerable morbidity. A complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst can be a daunting situation if not diagnosed and managed properly.
Our case was a young female with a huge pulmonary hydatid cyst who developed a sudden rupture of cyst. She was operated by an erroneous diagnosis of a complicated diaphragmatic hernia which resulted in a life-threatening event.
Based on a broad range of clinical presentations and diverse radiographic appearances, the diagnosis of a complicated pulmonary hydatid cyst is not always straightforward. A pulmonary hydatid cyst, which obscures the diaphragmatic shadow, might be misdiagnosed as a diaphragmatic hernia on plain radiography. Accurate diagnosis depends on a precise clinical judgment particularly in endemic regions, otherwise serious morbidity is anticipated.