Giant hydatid cyst of lung: Analysis of 24 cases

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the patients diagnosed to have giant pulmonary hydatid cyst in our department in 12 years period. Material and methods: Twenty four cases of the 157 hydatid lung disease cases, operated at Elazig State Hospital and Research Hospital of YOzOnc0 Yil University Faculty of Medicine between 1995 and 2007, with a cyst diameter of more than 10 cm in any axis were studied retrospectively. Results: Of the 24 cases, seven were female and seventeen were male. They were aged seven to 38 years and the mean age was found to be 20,2 years. The mean age for giant hydatid disease of the lung was smaller than other hydatid disease of the lung. It was observed to be more frequent in the right hemithorax than in the left. In all the cases, the common complaints were chest pain, cough, sputum production and shod-mess of breath. In two patients the hydatid cysts were bilateral, in one patient the cysts was multiple. Twenty two patients underwent cystotomy and capitonnage, two patients underwent lobectomy. There were no earlyor late mortalities. Three patients (12,5%) had postoperative complication. No operative mortality was encountered. There were no recurrences in these cases for two years. Conclusion: As in the hydatid cysts, in the treatment of giant hydatid cysts as well, the treatment to be chosen should be surgical. It should also be considered that the risks of surgical treatment are greater than those of the normal hydatid cysts.