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Victor Deutsch, Bluma Kreisler, Baruch Padeh, Yehuda M. Pausner, Echinococcosis of the heart diagnosed by cardioangiography, British Journal of Radiology, Volume 42, Issue 499, 1 July 1969, Pages 540–543, https://doi.org/10.1259/0007-1285-42-499-540
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The early diagnosis of hydatid cysts of the heart is important because solitary cysts tend to rupture and cause a wide range of complications. Whereas previously the condition could not be treated (Better, Griffel and Brandstaetter, 1963; Dévé, 1901; 1915; 1917; 1928; 1946; 1949; Dighiero, Canabel, Aguirre, Hazan and Horjales, 1958; Grulee, 1905; Hynd, 1924; Kean and Breslau, 1964; Popo and Saviec, 1962; Romanoff and Milwidsky, 1962), progress in cardiothoracic surgery has made it possible to operate successfully on affected individuals.
At the Tel-Hashomer Hospital we have encountered three cases of cardiac echinococcosis during the five-year period 1962–67. Two of the cases died. In the third, early diagnosis was made with the aid of cardioangiography and the patient was operated on successfully with a satisfactory two-year followup. This case is reported here.
A 17-year-old male, born in Iraq, was first admitted to the hospital in 1961 with severe abdominal pain and extreme weakness. Physical examination did not reveal any abnormal findings. The radiograph of the chest showed normal pulmonary vasculature, enlargement of the heart and a prominent elongated left heart border with a bulge below the pulmonary segment (Fig. la). The ECG showed deep Q waves and inverted T waves in leads I, aVL, V5 and V6. A tentative diagnosis of cardiomyopathy was made and the patient was discharged from hospital.
