Intrathoracic Extrapulmonary Hydatid Cysts: Review of 33 Cases

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to present our clinical and surgical experience in intrathoracic extrapulmonary hydatid cysts, a complicated form of hydatid disease.Patients and Methods: The age, sex, history, symptoms, localization of hydatid cysts and surgical treatment methods, complication, hospitalization time, recurrence, morbidity and mortality were recorded for 33 patients (28 females, 5 males; mean age 26.9 years; range 22 to 64 years) who had intrathoracic extrapulmonary cysts.Results: The most common symptoms were cough and chest pain. The localization of the hydatid cysts were pleural space, chest wall, extrapleural region, mediastinum and diaphragm. The hydatid cysts were removed by the extirpation technique via thoracotomy in 29 patients and via sternotomy in four patients. The mean time of hospitalization was 7.2 days (3-17 days). The most common postoperative complication was pulmonary atelectasis. There was no mortality.Conclusion: It should be considered that hydatid cysts may occur in many different sites as well as intrathoracic but extrapulmonary.