Background: Although hydatid disease is common, individual series are usually not large as far as primary cardiac hydatid disease is concerned. We believe this study is the largest series of primary cardiac hydatid disease for which cross-sectional imaging is available. Methods. We reviewed the radiologic and medical records of 9 pathologically proven cases of primary cardiac hydatid disease. Echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used. In 5 patients, all three modalities were used, and in 4 only CT was available.
Results: Three types of cardiac involvement (pericardial, left ventricular, and right atrial wall) were detected. The cysts showed daughter cyst formation, detached parasitic membrane, rupture, segmental calcification, and end-stage calcification.
Conclusion: Echocardiography is useful in detecting the cystic nature. Computed tomography best shows the wall calcification. Magnetic resonance imaging depicts the exact anatomic location and nature of the internal and external structures and is the modality of posttreatment follow-up.