Endobronchial hydatid cyst causing variable intrathoracic airflow limitation selectively during expiration acting as a ball valve

Indian J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2023 Jul;39(4):438-439. doi: 10.1007/s12055-023-01541-4. Epub 2023 Jun 12.

Abstract

Lung hydatid cyst is a frequently encountered site of echinococcus infection after the liver. Rupture of endobronchial hydatid cyst may lead to hydatemesis or may spread to the normal lung or can cause anaphylactic reactions. Performing bronchoscopy in cases with bronchial hydatid is controversial. The thoracic hydatid cyst may destroy the native lung parenchyma or may cause mass effect on the surrounding structures. Ball valve obstruction of the bronchial hydatid cyst is not documented in the literature and here the authors present such a case as the recognition of the ball valve mechanism is important as it may cause tension pneumothorax.

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12055-023-01541-4.

Keywords: Ball valve mechanism; Endobronchial hydatid cyst; Thoracic hydatid cyst.