Cardiac hydatid cyst mimicking left ventricular aneurysm and diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiac involvement is an uncommon presentation of hydatid cyst disease, accounting for approximately 0.5-2% of all hydatidosis cases, and mainly occurring as part of a systemic infection. Herein, we report on an isolated cardiac hydatid cyst in a 57-year-old woman. She presented with a complaint of squeezing chest pain of 10 month-history. On transthoracic echocardiography, a mass like appearance with heterogeneous echogenicity was noted in the left ventricular wall, suggesting a primary cardiac tumor or a mass compressing the left ventricle. Thoracic computed tomography findings were reported as a calcified left ventricular aneurysm 50x65 mm in size and minimal pericardial fluid. Coronary angiography showed normal epicardial coronary arteries and an apical mass with calcified contours. Serological test was negative for echinococcal disease. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging showed a cystic lesion, 54x48 mm in size, in the left ventricular anterolateral wall, protruding into the lumen. After albendazole treatment for four weeks, surgery was performed for excision of the cyst. During the operation, rupture of the cyst was noted. The diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst was confirmed by pathological examination. During a six-month follow-up, the patient was asymptomatic, with no cystic appearance on transthoracic echocardiography.