Myocardial Echinococcosis: RareManifestation of a Common ParasiticDisease in Northern Tanzania

Citation: 
Ahmed M. Jusabani , Clement F. Kalambo , Mubashir Jusabani , Salim Suran
Publication year: 
2020

Hydatid (Echinococcal) disease often involves the liver and lungs but in sporadic cases, it caninvolve cardiac structures. A 24-year-old male was referred with symptoms of cough andshortness of breath and a provisional diagnosis of metastatic disease of unknown primary tothe lung, which was based on a chest X-ray (CXR). Incidentally, on echocardiogram, he wasfound to have right ventricular (RV) and myocardial multiseptated cysts, which were compatiblewith cardiac echinococcosis, as the patient had multiple bilateral lung cysts as well. Imagingwith ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hasameliorated the diagnosis of hydatid disease location in various body parts. However, for earlierand accurate diagnosis, a high index of suspicion is required in endemic areas, especially invulnerable populations such as pastoralists.