An Unusual Case of Hydatidosis with Multiple Lung Nodules Mimicking Pulmonary Metastases on Chest Radiograph

Abstract

E. granulosus is one of the most important helminthic pulmonary diseases and human echinococcosis is still a significant clinical problem more so in endemic areas. Hydatid cysts of the lung are often indistinguishable from a variety of other pulmonary lesions such as lung tumors. Also, pulmonary hydatid cysts are usually solitary.We present an unusual case of a 23 year old man with chest pain and dyspnea who presented with bilateral pulmonary nodules on chest radiograph due to echinococcosis that mimicked pulmonary metastases. The diagnosis of hydatidosis was suggested on CT scan which demonstrated multiple thin walled pulmonary cystic lesions and involvement of liver and spleen as well with similar lesions.During the evaluation of the bilateral multiple pulmonary masses on chest radiograph pulmonary echinococcosis must be kept in mind as a possible differential diagnosis, more so in endemic areas. CT is very helpful to characterize these types of lesions which shows their cystic nature and involvement of other body organs.