17th February 2025

Pulmonary hydatid disease

Pulmonary hydatid disease is caused by ingestion of parasitic eggs, with dogs, goats and sheep the most common vector for the adult worm. Hydatidosis is the most common parasitic lung disease globally.

Clinically, cough, haemoptysis and chest pain are the most common complaints. Cyst rupture may be reflected by an acute clinical deterioration and may cause anaphylaxis. 

Chest X-ray and CT may show calcified cysts, predominantly in the lower lobes.

The definitive treatment is surgery with excision of the cysts. Medical treatment with albendazole may be used for patients unfit for surgery but this may also precipitate cyst rupture.