Multidetector CT and MR imaging cardiac hydatidosis: case report and review of the literature

Cardiac hydatid cysts are uncommon but potentially fatal. We present a case of isolated unilocular and multivesicular hydatid cysts in the heart, and provide a literature review of this rare condition. A 35-year-old man presented to our cardiology unit with acute chest pain. Computed tomography showed two cystic lesions in the heart. One unilocular cyst was located close to the left atrium and compressed the pulmonary artery. The other multivesicular cyst adhered to the left ventricle and displaced the left coronary arteries. T2-weighted magnetic resonance images revealed lesions in the pericardial cavity with bright signal intensity. Dot immunogold filtration assay was performed, and positive results for anti-EgCF antibody, anti-EgP antibody and anti-EgB antibody for cystic hydatidosis were found. Cardiac hydatidosis was diagnosed because of typical imaging findings and positive serology. The patient underwent surgical excision of the cysts. Postoperatively, symptoms of the patient resolved.