Pulmonary Artery Embolism Due to a Ruptured Hepatic Hydatid Cyst Into the Inferior Vena Cava: Clinical and Radiologic Imaging Findings

Pulmonary embolism because of hydatid cysts is a very uncommon and lethal complication caused by a hydatid heart cyst rupture or a visceral hydatid cyst released into the venous circulation. By utilizing contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), hydatid pulmonary embolism can be differentiated from other types of pulmonary embolism. MRI mainly displays the cystic nature of lesions better than CT. Pulmonary embolism should be kept in mind in patients with hepatic hydatidosis if there is a sudden occurrence of chest pain and dyspnea, particularly in regions where hydatidosis is endemic. This report aims to present the clinical and radiographic features and discuss the diagnosis and treatment procedure of our patient.

Here, we report a 45-year-old man with pulmonary embolism as a consequence of a ruptured hydatid liver cyst in the inferior vena cava. Multiple intra-arterial pulmonary hydatid cyst emboli originating from a hepatic hydatid cyst ruptured into the hepatic portion of the inferior vena cava were seen in our patient. The patient refused the surgical treatment. Therefore, the patient was treated using Andazol (Albendazole) and Cetirizine hydrochloride.

The present case is interesting because pulmonary embolism caused by hydatid cysts is a very uncommon clinical entity. There may be difficulties in diagnosing and treating hydatid cysts, and a definitive diagnosis was possible only by a histopathological examination.