A giant pulmonary cyst hydatid imitating plevral effusion.

INTRODUCTION: Cystic echinococcosis is an endemic disease in east Turkey. Echinococcosis granulosus is reported as the most common agent of cystic echinoccocus. Hydatid cysts are generally involved in lung and liver.

PRESENTATION OF CASE: 37 year old female admitted to our clinic with cough and expectoration of watery material progressing within 3 months. Thorax CT demonstrated a 110*100 mm well defined cavitary lesion in the right lower lobe of the lung. The patient was treated with cystotomy & capitonnage and postoperative albendazole treatment successfully.

DISCUSSION: Hydatid cysts should be conceived in differential diagnosis of pulmonary cystic lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: The basic treatment for cystic echinococcosis is surgery. Postoperative antihelminthic therapy is preferred to prevent postoperative complications.