Abstract
Alveolar echinococcosis is a potentially life-threatening parasitic disease primarily involving the liver caused by echinococcus multilocularis. Alveolar echinococcosis shows tumor-like growth that can lead to infiltration of neighboring organs. It is a slowly progressive disease and most commonly metastasizes to the lung. In this study, a 45-year-old female case of alveolar echinococcosis with bilateral pulmonary diffuse calcified multiple nodules metastases is presented.
Keywords: Alveolar echinococcosis, Pulmonary metastasis, Diffuse calcified nodules
Case
A 45-year-old female patient, diagnosed with alveolar echinococcosis approximately 20 years ago, presented with chest pain and dyspnea. Radiologically, multiple metastatic nodules with diffuse calcification were seen in both lungs (Fig. 1).
Fig. 1.
A Posteroanterior chest radiograph showing bilateral calcified nodular lesions (bracket marks). B-D Axial sections obtained from the computed tomography (CT) mediastinal window show multiple metastatic nodules with diffuse calcification in both lungs (arrows). C Axial sections obtained from CT mediastinal window show the previously operated area (circle) in the liver
Alveolar echinococcosis is a helminth infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Alveolar echinococcosis is a tumor-like cystic disease that can invade adjacent structures or metastasize to other organs. Because alveolar echinococcosis progresses slowly over a long period of time and produces no signs or symptoms, surgical resection is possible in only 35–40% of patients [1]. Alveolar echinococcosis primarily involves the liver and has a tumor-like behavior [2]. Pulmonary involvement may be seen by hematogenous and lymphatic spread or by direct invasion [3]. Pulmonary metastases may be numerous and include diffuse calcification [4]. Pulmonary alveolar echinococcosis should be considered in case of multiple, diffuse calcification.
Funding
The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.
Declarations
Statement of human and animal rights
Not applicable.
Ethical committee approval
Not required being an “image” report from a case.
Consent to participate
The patient’s written consent was obtained.
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest in the publication of this article.
Footnotes
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References
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