Pulmonary hydatidosis with hepatopleural fistula: A case report

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a chronic illness caused by the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. It is classified as a neglected disease and is a priority according to the World Health Organization. CE is prevalent in populations engaged in specific livestock practices and is associated with poor living conditions. 41-year-old female Maasai patient who presented with symptoms of cough, dyspnea, fever, and weight loss. Physical examination and CT scans confirmed the presence of cystic masses in the lungs and liver. The patient underwent a thoracotomy procedure to address complications from a hepato-pleural fistula. Echinococcus is a tropical disease that affects over a million people worldwide annually. It primarily affects communities engaged in animal husbandry and causes the development of hydatid cysts. Diagnosis can be challenging due to prolonged asymptomatic periods. In rare cases, cysts can rupture into the pleura and bronchial tree, causing respiratory symptoms. Surgical treatment involves the systematic evacuation of cysts and visceral cyst excision, with concurrent laparotomy and thoracotomy being the optimum approach. Hydatid cysts remain a significant health problem, particularly when large pleural cysts occur with subphrenic liver cysts. Surgical intervention, specifically a single-stage thoracotomy, is the preferred first-line treatment. This approach allows for both cysts to be addressed in a single procedure, providing effective and efficient treatment to patients. •Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus, affecting populations engaged in livestock practices and associated with poor living conditions.•A 41-year-old Maasai female patient presented with respiratory symptoms and was diagnosed with CE based on physical examination and CT scans revealing cystic masses in the lungs and liver.•The patient underwent a thoracotomy procedure to address complications arising from a hepato-pleural fistula, a rare but serious complication of CE.•Echinococcus is a tropical disease affecting millions globally, with diagnosis often challenging due to prolonged asymptomatic periods. In this case, the patient's symptoms and diagnostic imaging allowed for prompt identification.•Surgical treatment, specifically a single-stage thoracotomy, proved to be an effective approach for simultaneous removal of cystic masses in both the lung and liver, providing efficient and comprehensive treatment for the patient's condition.