Cardiac hydatid cyst in the right ventricle - A rare case report of echinococcosis presentation

The hydatid cyst (HC) of the right ventricle (RV) is an extremely uncommon and a serious location that can cause sudden death following pulmonary embolism, obstruction of the valvular orifice or anaphylactic shock. We report a case of a 14 years-old girl with a HC of the RV. Surgical excision of the HC under Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) was successful in managing this rare case. Cardiac HC is extremely rare. It represents only 0.5–2% of all hydatid cases. However, RV location is very severe. It has a tendency to rupture intracavitarily and causes sudden death in 30% of cases. Its diagnosis is based on echocardiography, computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging. The surgical treatment under CPB with anthelmintic therapy seems to improve the prognostic outcomes. Cardiac HC must be always suspected in endemic countries, especially in patients with a family history of HC. •Hydatid cyst of the right ventricle is an extremely uncommon location.•Right ventricle location is very severe that can cause sudden death in 30% of cases.•The optimal treatment is still based on surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass with anthelmintic therapy.•Hydatid cyst of the right ventricle should be diagnosed and treated early to prevent sudden death.