Introduction and importance: Echinococcus infection affects the liver and lungs. However, in unusual cases it may take location in the heart. Furthermore, the settling of the cysts in the interventricular septum are especially rare.
Case presentation: We report a case of a 17-years old male presented with dyspnea and productive cough. Ultrasound showed an incidental finding of a cyst in the distal part of the interventricular septum and the apex of left ventricle. He was treated with a course of antibiotics with albendazole 800 mg then was referred to the cardiac surgery department. The cyst with all its layers was resected.
Clinical discussion: Cardiac hydatid cyst is extremely rare. Especially the involvement of the interventricular septum as it is responsible for only 4% of cardiac cases. Its symptoms maybe nonspecific and the diagnoses is based on echography and computed tomography. The surgical treatment under cardiopulmonary by-bass with complementary course of albendazole 800 mg seems to have a good prognostic outcome.
Conclusion: Cardiac echinococcus should be kept in mind in endemic regions. The diagnosis should be made in the early and uncomplicated stages since it may be fatal. Echocardiography is sensitive and useful for the diagnosis.
Keywords: CRP, c-reactive protein; CT, computed tomography; CXR, chest x-ray; Case report; ECG, electrocardiogram; Echinococcosis; Hydatid cyst; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; Ventricular septum; WBC, white blood cells.
© 2022 The Authors.