Epidemiology

• Prevalence: common in endemic areas (Jordan, etc)

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Etiology

• Echinococcus Granulosus

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Physiology

• xxx

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Diagnosis

• xxx

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Clinical Manifestations

Pulmonary Manifestations

General Pulmonary Symptoms

• Dyspnea (see Dyspnea, [[Dyspnea]])
• Expectoration of Glistening White Membranes
• Non-Productive Cough (see Cough, [[Cough]])
• Pleuritic Chest Pain (see Chest Pain, [[Chest Pain]])
• Salty Sputum

Pleural Effusion (see Pleural Effusion-Exudate, [[Pleural Effusion-Exudate]])

• Diagnostic: exudate

Well-Circumscribed Lung Nodule or Mass (see Lung Nodule or Mass, [[Lung Nodule or Mass]])

• Diagnostic
  • CXR/Chest CT
    • Usually have bizarre, irregular, or dimpled shape
    • May be multi-loculated
    • Location: lower lobe predilection (R>L side)
    • Calcification: may occur around periphery or within cyst (calcification does not occur in pyogenic abscess, aiding in differentiation from this entity)
    • Cavitation: common
  • Fine Needle Aspirate: diagnostic

Other Manifestations

• Fever/Chills (see Fever, [[Fever]])
• Weight Loss (see Weight Loss, [[Weight Loss]])

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Treatment

Anti-Parasitic Agents

• Albendazole (see Albendazole, [[Albendazole]])

Aspiration of Cyst with Infusion of Hypertonic Saline, 95% Alcohol, or 10% Peroxide

• May be used with albendazole

Surgical Resection

• May be used with albendazole
• Efficacy: probably has the best long-term outcome (but no trials have been done)

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References

• xxx