Surgical approach to huge cardiac hydatid cyst of the interventricular septum

Abstract

Cardiac echinococcosis is a rare but potentially fatal condition. The cysts are frequently located in the left or right ventricle; involvement of the interventricular septum is exceptional. We report the case of a 29-year-old woman who presented with palpitation and generalized T-wave inversion on her electrocardiogram. Transthoracic echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a huge hydatid cyst originating from the interventricular septum. She was started on albendazole tablets, and surgical excision on cardiopulmonary bypass was carried out after 5 days of treatment. She had an uneventful postoperative recovery, and was continued on albendazole tablets for 4 months.

Keywords: Echinococcosis; heart septum.