Aspergilloma complicating newly diagnosed pulmonary echinococcal (hydatid) cyst: a rare occurrence

Aspergilloma is a saprophytic infection that colonizes pre-existing lung cavities. Typically, aspergilloma develops in cavities formed as a result of diseases such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, bronchiectasis, lung abscess and cavitatory neoplasia. Coexistence of fungi with a pulmonary echinococcal (hydatid) cyst is seen more commonly in immunocompromised patients. Although aspergilloma has occasionally been described in operated hydatid cyst cavities, only one case has been reported previously in an unoperated case. We report on the case of a 40-year-old man with normal immune status and histologically proven concurrent infection of aspergillus in a previously unoperated pulmonary hydatid cyst.