Diagnosis, imaging, and treatment of an unusual cardiac hydatid cyst

Echinococcosis is endemic in sheep- and cattle-raising areas in Europe, especially in Southern and Central Europe. In France, most cases originated from immigrants from countries where echinococcosis is endemic. Extremely rare native cases have been reported during the last few years in France, especially those concerning isolated cardiac hydatid cyst. In this case report, we propose a complete imaging description of the features of a typical cardiac hydatid cyst from cardiac MRI, complete with surgery, parasitology, and anatomopathology images. (C) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.