International Surgery Journal | June 2021 | Vol 8 | Issue 6 Page 1910
International Surgery Journal
Gupta K et al. Int Surg J. 2021 Jun;8(6):1910-1912
http://www.ijsurgery.com
pISSN 2349-3305 | eISSN 2349-2902
Case Report
Intraoperative transthoracic ultrasonography in hepatopulmonary
hydatid cyst disease: seeing beyond the horizon
Komal Gupta, Ankita Singh, Deepti Singh, Gopal Puri, Pritam Yadav, Kamal Kataria*
INTRODUCTION
Hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus is
one of the commonest zoonosis, with humans as
accidental intermediate host. It primarily affects liver.
However, hepato-pulmonary involvement is well
established in 4-25% cases.
1
Currently surgical
management is the only treatment available with curative
intent. Open approach is preferred in cases of ruptured
hydatid cyst. Here we have emphasized the advantage of
using intra operative transdiaphragmatic ultrasonography
for localization and drainage of hepatic cysts.
CASE REPORT
A 22 years old lady presented with complaint of a single
episode of sudden onset severe upper abdominal pain 1
month prior. It was self-resolving. There was no history
of lump in the abdomen, jaundice, breathing difficulty.
With clinically palpable non tender hepatomegaly, on
further evaluation patient was found to have eosinophilia
and a unilocular cystic lesion was identified in the liver
on ultrasound. Chest X ray showed an opaque space
occupying lesion in the lower lobe of the right lung. On
contrast enhanced computed tomography (CECT) of
chest and abdomen, a large thin walled unilocular cystic
lesion measuring 12×10 cm in right lung lower lobe and
another cyst measuring 8×8 cm in segment VII of the
liver likely due to hydatid cyst disease were identified
(Figure 1). Patient was started on oral albendazole tablets.
She was scheduled to undergo drainage/excision of the
pericysts by thoracoabdominal approach. However, while
awaiting elective surgery, patient had multiple episodes
of vomiting and dyspnoea. Chest X ray suggested rupture
of the right lung hydatid cyst (Figure 2). There was no
airway or hemodynamic compromise. Patient was taken
to operation theatre for an emergency right posterolateral
thoracotomy. Intraoperatively ruptured hydatid cyst was
found with spillage of detached membrane and fluid in
the right pleural cavity. Thoracic cavity was packed with
surgical pads soaked in scolicidal agent (povidone
iodine). Hydatid membrane was evacuated, along with
daughter cysts and pleural cavity was lavaged with
scolicidal agent. Areas of air leaks into the pericyst
ABSTRACT
Liver is the most common organ involved in hydatid disease. But involvement of multiple organs simultaneously is
not unheard of. Here we have presented our experience with one such similar case with involvement of lower lobe of
right lung and segment VII of liver. There was spontaneous rupture of the lung hydatid cyst during the hospital stay.
A right posterolateral thoracotomy was performed for evacuation of spilled hydatid cyst content from the right pleural
cavity. Intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) was used to locate and drain the hepatic hydatid cyst via the diaphragm.
Such single incision surgery for hepatopulmonary hydatid disease is associated with lesser post-operative morbidity
and early discharge from the hospital. Use of IOUS can significantly improve the rate of successful localization and
drainage of hepatic hydatid cyst in transthoracic approach.
Keywords: Intraoperative ultrasound, IOUS, Hydatid disease, Liver surgery, PAIR, Thoracotomy
Department of Surgical Disciplines, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
Received: 27 March 2021
Accepted: 07 May 2021
*Correspondence:
Dr. Kamal Kataria,
E-mail: drkamalkataria@gmail.com
Copyright: © the author(s), publisher and licensee Medip Academy. This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License, which permits unrestricted non-commercial
use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20212290