Giant pulmonary hydatid cyst in children.

BACKGROUND

Lungs are the second most common site for hydatid disease after the liver. Giant hydatid cyst (GHC) of the lung is a special clinical entity in children and is related to higher lung tissue elasticity.

AIM: To compare clinical and imaging features, types of surgical interventions, and postoperative complications in pulmonary GHC and non-giant pulmonary hydatid cysts (NGHC) in children.

METHODS

A retrospective study was undertaken. The data analyzed were taken from medical records of children with pulmonary hydatid cyst (PHC) hospitalized in a pulmonary department in Tunisia between January 2004 and February 2019. Cysts were divided according to their size into GHC ( ≥10cm) and NGHC (<10cm).

RESULTS

In the study period, 108 PHC were recorded in 84 children. GHC accounted for 21 (19.4%) and NGHC for 87 (80.6%). The median of age of the children was 11 years (IQR 1-9, IQR 3-14) and the mean age was 11.6 years (10.5 in GHC vs. 11.4 years in NGHC). Hemoptysis was found in 25% of the GHC group vs. 48.4% of the NGHC group (P=0.27). Cysts were multiple in 23.8% of cases and predominated in the right in 64.3% of cases and in the inferior lobes in 71.4% of the cases. GHCs were less frequently complicated (60% vs. 78.1% in NGHC, P≤0.11), although not significantly. Parenchymal resection was realized in 50% of GHC vs. 18.8% of NGHC (P=0.006). No significant difference was found in postoperative complications between the two groups and there was no recurrence in either group.

CONCLUSION

GHC is a special clinical entity in children. It requires major surgery with parenchymal resection, and therefore early diagnostic and therapeutic management is warranted.