Background
Echinococcus granulosus is a major public health problem in lower middle‐income countries (LMIC). Children are commonly diagnosed with cysts in the lungs and/or the liver.
Objectives
The purpose of this study was to describe a pediatric cohort diagnosed with pulmonary Cystic Echinococcus (CE) and treated with a combination of medical and surgical therapy.
Methods
This was a retrospective study performed between July 2017 and December 2020 at Tygerberg Hospital, South Africa. Clinical, laboratory, radiological, medical, and surgery‐related outcomes were reviewed.
Results
The cohort consisted of 35 children, 17 (49%) were male, with a mean age of 9 ± 5.4 years. The most frequently encountered presenting symptom was cough (93%) followed by fever (70%). Isolated pulmonary CE accounted for the majority of cases (74%) with left lower lobe predominance. A significant proportion of the cohort exhibited chest computed tomography (CT) characteristics consistent with complicated pulmonary CE. Eighteen (58%) children had a positive indirect hemagglutination assay (IHA) test result. All children received medical treatment whilst 30 (86%) of children required surgery. Children with complicated pulmonary CE stayed a mean of 12.5 ± 6.6 days, while those with simple cysts stayed 6.8 ± 1.5 days.
Conclusion
Isolated pulmonary CE is common in children, whereas extrapulmonary cysts are uncommon. Pulmonary CE is diagnosed using chest X‐ray and, CT imaging. IHA serology has limited diagnostic utility for pulmonary CE. Combined surgery and chemotherapy remains the gold standard for treating pulmonary CE.