Pulmonary Echinococcosis

Pulmonary hydatid cyst: systemic parasitic cyst by E. granulosus larva in lung; endemic pastoral regions.

Common Symptoms

Dyspnea; hemoptysis; shortness of breath; wheeze; cyst; abscess

Causes and Pathogenesis

(1) Etiology: 4 Echinococcus spp.; granulosus + multilocularis most pathogenic. Granulosus: dog/wolf definitive, sheep intermediate. Multilocularis: fox/cat/dog definitive, rodent intermediate. Eggs → ingestion → oncosphere → intestinal wall → mesenteric veins → liver/lung (primary), brain/mediastinum/chest wall/diaphragm. 20-30 year survival. Human ingestion via dog contact/contaminated food; airborne eggs possible. (2) Pathogenesis: oncosphere → cyst 3 weeks (2 mm) → 1 cm by month 5 → brood capsules/protoscolices; giant cysts (hundreds-thousands mL). Pericyst (host) + endocyst (laminated + germinal). Hydatid fluid: clear alkaline (pH 7.6-7.8), chloride/lecithin/protein/glucose/electrolytes/toxic albumin/antigens (Arc-5, antigen B). Complications: secondary infection/rupture → lung empyema/pyopneumothorax/hemopneumothorax; pericardial rupture → tamponade; tracheal rupture → asphyxia; expectoration can cure.

Treatment

Drug, supportive, surgical therapy

Preventive Measures

No raw offal to dogs; reduce dog population; mass anthelmintic treatment; avoid close contact with dogs.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Cardiothoracic Surgery department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.