Lugata John, Mrosso Onesmo
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Moshi, Tanzania.
Faculty of Medicine, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania.
Radiol Case Rep. 2025 Mar 8;20(5):2496-2499. doi: 10.1016/j.radcr.2025.02.016. eCollection 2025 May.
Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a parasitic zoonotic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus, predominantly affects the liver and lungs but can occur in any organ or tissue. Hydatid cysts during pregnancy are rare, with an incidence of approximately 1 in 20,000-30,000 pregnancies, and are often associated with more severe symptoms due to the physiological changes of pregnancy. In endemic areas, early recognition and prompt management are critical to improving outcomes. This case report from Northern Tanzania highlights a 30-year-old pregnant woman at 30 weeks of gestation who presented with respiratory distress, cough, fever, and chest pain. Imaging studies, including contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the chest, identified a large complex cystic lesion occupying the right hemithorax, consistent with a pulmonary hydatid cyst. Serological testing supported the diagnosis of CE. Following interdisciplinary team deliberation, labor was induced at 30 weeks, she delivered a healthy baby but subsequently developed postpartum hemorrhage, which required an emergency total abdominal hysterectomy due to uterine atony. Despite aggressive management, the patient developed severe respiratory complications and succumbed 10 days later in the surgical intensive care unit. This case underscores the challenges of diagnosing and managing CE in pregnancy, particularly in resource-limited settings.
囊型包虫病(CE)是由细粒棘球绦虫幼虫阶段引起的一种寄生性人畜共患感染病,主要影响肝脏和肺部,但可发生于任何器官或组织。孕期出现包虫囊肿的情况较为罕见,在每20000 - 30000次妊娠中约有1例发生,并且由于孕期的生理变化,常伴有更严重的症状。在流行地区,早期识别和及时处理对于改善预后至关重要。这份来自坦桑尼亚北部的病例报告着重介绍了一名妊娠30周的30岁孕妇,她出现了呼吸窘迫、咳嗽、发热和胸痛症状。影像学检查,包括胸部增强计算机断层扫描(CT),发现一个占据右半胸的大型复杂囊性病变,符合肺包虫囊肿表现。血清学检测支持囊型包虫病的诊断。经过多学科团队讨论,在30周时引产,她产下一名健康婴儿,但随后出现产后出血,因子宫收缩乏力而进行了紧急全腹子宫切除术。尽管进行了积极治疗,患者仍出现严重的呼吸并发症,并于10天后在外科重症监护病房死亡。该病例凸显了孕期囊型包虫病诊断和管理的挑战,尤其是在资源有限的环境中。