1 Kimbrough Army Hospital, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland
A case of solitary Echinococcus cyst of the lung was presented. The diagnosis can be suspected from the clinical history which should include animal contact. The presented patient had been in an endemic area; however, cases can occur in individuals who have never left the United States. This patient had a solitary pulmonary mass. The mass grew in size under observation with a pleural effusion which cleared spontaneously. The laboratory work-up was completely negative including lack of eosinophilia and a negative Casoni and complement fixation test. The semilunar air shadow within the mass suggested the preoperative diagnosis of Echinococcus cyst of the lung. If the diagnosis is considered, it is possible that it may be established preoperatively with increasing frequency.
Submitted on June 10, 1964