"Near drowning" due to hydatid disease.

Spontaneous rupture of a hydatid cyst is reported in a 19-year-old cattleman. Mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure and a right lower lobectomy were required for flooding of the airway with hydatid cyst fluid. The postoperative course was complicated by the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Complete recovery occurred with no recurrence following treatment with albendazole, praziquantel and partial hepatectomy.