Ruptured Pulmonary Cystic Echinococcosis Mimicking Tuberculosis in Childhood: A Case Report

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease; in places such as Turkey where livestock is common, it is an endemic health concern. The most commonly involved organ is the lungs in children. Pulmonary cysts can be asymptomatic; in some cases, they may rupture and become symptomatic. Ruptured lung hydatid cysts may often be confused with tuberculosis (Tbc) radiologically and clinically. . In this report, we present an 8-year-old female patient admitted with cough, fever, and sputum persisting since 2 weeks; her chest radiography and computed tomography (CT) findings initially indicated Tbc, but the follow-up surgery led to a diagnosis of ruptured lung CE. We want to emphasize that in children belonging to places where livestock is common, if respiratory symptoms are observed, CE and tuberculosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis, and the final diagnosis should be supported by other microbiological-serological tests.