Imaging Findings and Management of Paediatric Pulmonary Hydatidiosis in an Ethiopian Referral Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pulmonary hydatidosis is a rare disease, which may be seen in paediatric patients. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical and imaging features and present the surgical outcome of pediatric pulmonary hydatidosis in Ethiopia.

Methods: Clinical charts and imaging findings including chest radiographs, chest ultrasounds, CTs and MRIs of intra-operatively proven pediatric pulmonary hydatidosis cases were reviewed.

Results: A total of 10 paediatric cases (4 females, 6 males) with pulmonary hydatidosis were identified. Their age range was 3-12 years. Presenting symptoms included cough, chest pain and shortness of breath. Four patients were from urban central Ethiopia and 6 from rural parts of the country. All had history of contact with dogs. All imaging modalities, chest radiographs, chest ultrasounds, contrast enhanced chest CTs and MRIs, demonstrated well-defined cystic intra-parenchymal lesions. All chest x-rays showed well defined smooth walled lesions. Two chest CT scans revealed minimal post-contrast rim enhancement. All 3 patients with chest ultrasound were found to have double walled cystic masses. Two patients had postoperative complications: one developed pneumothorax and the other nosocomial infection.

Conclusion: Pulmonary hydatidosis in children is uncommon in Ethiopia. Imaging reveals well defined cystic intra-parenchymal pulmonary lesions. Clinicians, and in particular radiologists, should be aware of pulmonary hydatidosis, even in a pediatric population and consider it in the appropriate clinical setting in the differential diagnostic consideration of cystic intra-pulmonary lesions.

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