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Complete Pneumothorax Secondary to a Ruptured Pulmonary Hydatid Cyst: A Case Report and Brief Review of the Literature

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: , remains a major public health concern in endemic regions. While simple cysts are often asymptomatic or present with mild respiratory symptoms, cyst rupture into the pleural cavity leading to a complete pneumothorax represents a rare, life-threatening acute complication. A 19-year-old woman with a two-month history of progressive exertional dyspnea presented to the emergency department with acute right-sided chest pain of 48 hours' duration. Physical examination showed no acute respiratory distress, and laboratory tests revealed no systemic inflammatory syndrome. Chest radiography demonstrated a right hilar opacity of water density with a rectilinear air-fluid level, associated with complete right lung collapse consistent with a total pneumothorax. Chest computed tomography (CT) confirmed a cystic lesion containing a partially collapsed membrane, characteristic of a ruptured pulmonary hydatid cyst causing a pneumothorax. Initial management consisted of emergency chest tube thoracostomy and broad-spectrum empirical antibiotic therapy, followed by definitive surgical resection. Ruptured pulmonary hydatid cyst must be systematically included in the differential diagnosis of acute pneumothorax with cavitary or fluid-containing lung opacities in endemic areas. Emergency chest CT and a combined medico-surgical approach are critical for successful management.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.116838

Authors: Houda Snene, Monia Attia, Khaoula Ben Amor, Nadia Mehiri, Bechir Louzir

Institutions: Hôpital Mongi Slim, Tunis El Manar University

Language: English

Topic: Parasitic infections in humans and animals

Subfield: Parasitology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: DeepMind