Introduction
Hydatid disease, caused by tapeworm parasites, is prevalent in sheep-rearing regions, including the Middle East, Mediterranean areas, Africa, South America, and Australia . In humans, three types of echinococcosis are known to occur: cystic echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus, alveolar echinococcosis caused by Echinococcus multilocularis, and polycystic echinococcosis due to Echinococcus Vogeli or Echinococcus oligarthrus . The most common causative organism of human hydatid disease is Echinococcus granulosus . The parasite is a tapeworm with an approximate length of 2 to 7 mm . Hydatid disease or echinococcosis is an old and well-known helminthic disease known since Hippocrates . Rudolphi, in 1808, first used the term hydatid cyst [HC] to describe human echinococcosis . Dogs are the definitive hosts, while farm animals are intermediate hosts. Although humans are not involved in the parasite's life cycle, they may be affected accidentally, either by direct contact with a dog or by ingesting contaminated food and fluid from parasite eggs . After oral ingestion, the cyst hatches in the duodenum and initially spreads to the liver through the portal vein via hematogenous or occasionally lymphogenous routes. It then reaches the lungs through the venous system, and from the lungs, it can disseminate to other organs via the arterial system . The disease can be seen in different body parts, like the thyroid, bladder, heart, and pulmonary artery . The chest wall is a very uncommon localization for this disease . Therefore, the literature has limited information regarding chest wall HCs. This study aims to systematically review the manifestation and management of the disease.
Methods
Study design
This study was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.
Data sources and search strategy
Google Scholar was searched with the following keywords: [hydatid OR hydatidosis OR tapeworms OR echinococcosis OR echinococcus OR granulosus AND chest OR wall OR thoracic OR thorax OR rib OR sternum OR sternal OR cartilage OR intercostal OR extra-pulmonary].
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion criteria involved a confirmed diagnosis of chest wall HC. Only English-language studies published in legitimate journals were included .
Data items
One author screened the studies to select those that met the eligibility criteria, and another rechecked his work. Key data, including the first author's name, study design, country and year of publication, sample size, patient demography, clinical presentation, management strategies, and outcomes, were extracted from the included studies.
Data analysis and synthesis
The data were collected in a Microsoft Excel sheet (2021), and descriptive statistics were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The data were presented as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations.
Results
Study Selection
A systematic search identified a total of 432 articles. After the initial screening, 29 studies presenting only abstracts, two duplicates, and three non-English publications were excluded, resulting in 398 articles for further evaluation. Title and abstract screening excluded 329 studies due to irrelevance, leaving 69 articles for full-text review. Of these, seven were excluded due to irrelevancy, eight due to unretrieved data, and two for being letters to the editor. During the final screening, 11 studies were removed due to publishing in predatory journals. Finally, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review (). The raw data for each included study are detailed in , 2, and 3.
| Author/reference |
Year |
Type of Study |
Country |
No. of Case |
Age |
Gender |
Residency |
Contact with Animal |
PMH |
PSH |
Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Althobaity et al. |
2023 |
Case report |
Saudi Arabia |
1 |
22 |
Male |
N\A |
Yes |
Insignificant |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Goyal et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
India |
1 |
30 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Godazandeh et al. |
2020 |
Case report |
Iran |
1 |
40 |
Male |
Urban |
No |
N\A |
No |
Primary |
|
Basit et al. |
2021 |
Case report |
Afghanistan |
1 |
65 |
Male |
Rural |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
Primary |
|
Salih et al. |
2017 |
Case report |
Iraq |
1 |
20 |
Female |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Döner et al. |
2019 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
31 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
MohIeldeen et al. |
2013 |
Case report |
Iraq |
1 |
42 |
Male |
Rural |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|
Akkas et al. |
2016
|
Case report |
Turkey
|
2 |
32 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Hepatic hydatid cyst 2 years ago |
N\A |
Secondary |
|
24 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
Alloubi et al. |
2012 |
Case report |
Morocco |
1 |
57 |
Male |
Rural |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Al-Qudah et al. |
2000 |
Case report |
Jordan |
1 |
24 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Afghani et al. |
2017 |
Case report |
Iran |
1 |
35 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Yekeler et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
57 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
Insignificant |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Ulger et al. |
2013 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
62 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Hydatid cyst surgery |
N\A |
|
Tulay et al. |
2015 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
48 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Insignificant |
No |
Primary |
|
Tomos et al. |
2005 |
Case report |
Greece |
1 |
26 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|
Tezcan et al. |
2014 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
55 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|
Tadasa et al. |
2023 |
Case report |
Ethiopia |
1 |
65 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Sevinc et al. |
2014 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
31 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Sarkar et al. |
2015 |
Case report |
India |
1 |
58 |
Female |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Sabzi et al. |
2023 |
Case report |
Iran |
1 |
53 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
Secondary |
|
Roman et al. |
2015 |
Case report |
Romania |
1 |
25 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
History of trauma |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Redington et al. |
2001 |
Case report |
United Kingdom |
1 |
72 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
History of trauma |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Raut et al. |
2004 |
Case report |
India |
1 |
28 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Ninos et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
Greece |
1 |
50 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery |
Primary |
|
Kiliç et al. |
2003 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
54 |
Male |
Rural |
N\A |
Insignificant |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Karapolat et al. |
2012 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
69 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Karaoğlanoğlu et al. |
2001 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
63 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Kaplanoğlu et al. |
2017 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
27 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
|
Honda et al. |
2010 |
Case report
|
Japan |
1 |
9 |
Female |
Rural |
N\A |
Insignificant |
N\A |
Secondary |
|
Han et al. |
2004 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
N\A |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
Insignificant |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Gezer et al. |
2006 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
57 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Foroulis et al. |
2003 |
Case report |
Greece |
1 |
28 |
Female |
Urban |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Findikcioglu et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
48 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Faber et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
Israel |
1 |
18 |
Female |
Rural |
N\A |
Thoracic outlet syndrome |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Demir et al. |
2010 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
9 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
N\A |
N\A |
Primary |
|
Chafik et al. |
2009 |
Case report |
Morocco |
1 |
35 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
History of trauma |
Undiagnosed swelling drainage |
N\A |
|
Sinberg et al. |
1936 |
Case report |
United States |
1 |
15 |
Male |
Rural |
Yes |
Insignificant |
N/A |
Primary |
|
Rose et al. |
1893 |
Case report |
United Kingdom |
1 |
25 |
Female |
N\A |
N/A |
Bronchitis |
N/A |
Primary |
|
Machboua et al.
|
2023 |
Case series
|
Morocco |
5 |
26 |
Male |
Rural |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
32 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
28 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
57 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
63 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|||||
|
Özdemir et al. |
1994 |
Case series |
Turkey |
6 |
40 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery |
N\A |
|
38 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
26 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||||
|
35 |
Male |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Hepatic hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|||||
|
35 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid cyst |
Pulmonary hydatid cyst surgery |
Secondary |
|||||
|
Avci et al. |
2005 |
Case report |
Turkey |
1 |
72 |
Female |
N\A |
N\A |
History of trauma |
No |
Primary |
|
N/A: non-available, PMH: past medical history, PSH: past surgical history |
|||||||||||
| Author/reference |
Year
|
No. of Case |
Presentation
|
Duration (months) |
Size of the mass on CT scan (cm) |
Hydatid serology
|
Provisional diagnosis
|
Pre-operative medication |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Althobaity et al. |
2023 |
1 |
Chest pain |
36 |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Goyal et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Godazandeh et al. |
2020 |
1 |
Swelling |
5 |
N\A |
Negative |
N\A |
No |
|
Basit et al. |
2021 |
1 |
Chest pain |
0.66* |
N\A |
N\A |
Chest wall tumor |
No |
|
Salih et al. |
2017 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
60 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Döner et al. |
2019 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
N\A |
4 |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
MohIeldeen et al. |
2013 |
1 |
Chest pain, Numbness |
4 |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Akkas et al. |
2016
|
2 |
Chest pain |
N\A |
10 |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
N\A |
N\A |
10 |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Alloubi et al. |
2012 |
1 |
Chest pain |
3 |
9 |
N\A |
Chest wall tumor |
No |
|
Al-Qudah et al. |
2000 |
1 |
Dyspnea, Cough, Fever, Shoulder pain |
12 |
N\A |
Negative |
N\A |
No |
|
Afghani et al. |
2017 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
N\A |
N\A |
Negative |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Yekeler et al. |
2010 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Positive |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Ulger et al. |
2013 |
1 |
Chest pain |
70 |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Tulay et al. |
2015 |
1 |
Swelling |
5 |
10 |
N/A |
N\A |
No |
|
Tomos et al. |
2005 |
1 |
Chest pain |
N\A |
N\A |
Negative |
N\A |
No |
|
Tezcan et al. |
2014 |
1 |
Cough, Dyspnea, Shoulder pain |
N\A |
8 |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Tadasa et al. |
2023 |
1 |
Cough, Back pain, Heaviness, Paresthesia |
12 |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Sevinc et al. |
2014 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
5 |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Sarkar et al. |
2015 |
1 |
Swelling |
36 |
N\A |
Positive |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Sabzi et al. |
2023 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
24 |
N\A |
Negative |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Roman et al. |
2015 |
1 |
Chest pain |
N\A |
3 |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Redington et al. |
2001 |
1 |
Dizziness, Sweating, Horsness of voice, Swelling, Chest pain |
24 |
7 |
Negative |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Raut et al. |
2004 |
1 |
Back pain, Paraparesis |
6 |
N\A |
N\A |
Hydatid disease |
No |
|
Ninos et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
Negative |
Hydatid disease |
Albendazole |
|
Kiliç et al. |
2003 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
3 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Karapolat et al. |
2012 |
1 |
Abdominal pain |
48 |
9 |
N\A |
Chest wall tumor |
No |
|
Karaoğlanoğlu et al. |
2001 |
1 |
Cough |
144 |
N\A |
Negative |
N\A |
No |
|
Kaplanoğlu et al. |
2017 |
1 |
Swelling |
6 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Honda et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Fever, General fatigue, Nausea |
N\A |
6 |
Positive |
N\A |
No |
|
Han et al. |
2004 |
1 |
Swelling |
8 |
N\A |
Positive |
N\A |
No |
|
Gezer et al. |
2006 |
1 |
Shoulder pain, Numbness, Arm weakness |
3 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Foroulis et al. |
2003 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
Positive |
N\A |
Albendazole |
|
Findikcioglu et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
Faber et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Shoulder pain, Swelling |
12 |
N\A |
N\A |
Aneurysmal bone cyst |
No |
|
Demir et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Chest pain |
1 |
N\A |
Positive |
Ewing sarcoma |
No |
|
Chafik et al. |
2009 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
Negative |
N\A |
No |
|
Sinberg et al. |
1936 |
1 |
Swelling, Chest pain |
18 |
N\A |
N/A |
N\A |
No |
|
Rose et al. |
1893 |
1 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
N/A |
N\A |
No |
|
Machboua et al.
|
2023 |
5 |
Chest pain, Back pain, Lower limb paresthesia |
N\A |
N\A |
Positive |
N\A |
No |
|
Chest pain, Back pain, Dyspnea |
N\A |
N\A |
Positive |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Chest pain, Dyspnea |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Swelling, Chest pain |
N\A |
N\A |
Positive |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Chest pain |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Özdemir et al. |
1994 |
6 |
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Empyema |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Swelling |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Swelling, Shoulder pain |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
|||
|
Avci et al. |
2005 |
1 |
Chest pain |
N\A |
9 |
N\A |
Hematoma |
No |
| * Less than a month | ||||||||
| Author/reference |
Year |
No. of Case |
Surgical approach
|
Scolicidal agent |
Site of involvement |
Post-operative medication |
Complication |
Recurrence |
Follow-up (month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Althobaity et al. |
2023 |
1 |
Video-assisted thoracoscopy [VATS] |
Hypertonic saline |
N\A |
Albendazole |
Pneumothorax |
No |
5 |
|
Goyal et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
Hypertonic saline |
Rib and intercostal muscle |
No |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Godazandeh et al. |
2020 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
24 |
|
Basit et al. |
2021 |
1 |
N\A |
Hypertonic saline |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Salih et al. |
2017 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
No |
3 |
|
Döner et al. |
2019 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
Intercostal muscle |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
MohIeldeen et al. |
2013 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
8th rib |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
24 |
|
Akkas et al. |
2016
|
2 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
Intercostal muscle |
Albendazole |
No |
No
|
36 |
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
18 |
|||
|
Alloubi et al. |
2012 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
6th and 7th ribs |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
6 |
|
Al-Qudah et al. |
2000 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
1st rib |
No |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Afghani et al. |
2017 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
24 |
|
Yekeler et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
6th rib |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
10 |
|
Ulger et al. |
2013 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
Sternum |
No |
N\A |
No |
12 |
|
Tulay et al. |
2015 |
1 |
N\A |
Hypertonic saline |
N\A |
Albendazole |
N\A |
No |
6 |
|
Tomos et al. |
2005 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
6th rib |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Tezcan et al. |
2014 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
Sternum |
No |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Tadasa et al. |
2023 |
1 |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Sevinc et al. |
2014 |
1 |
N\A |
Hypertonic saline |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Sarkar et al. |
2015 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
12 |
|
Sabzi et al. |
2023 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Roman et al. |
2015 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
Formalin |
8th rib |
Albendazole, Chemotherapy |
No |
No |
1 |
|
Redington et al. |
2001 |
1 |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Raut et al. |
2004 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
9th rib |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Ninos et al. |
2010 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
Intercostal muscle |
Albendazole |
N\A |
No |
12 |
|
Kiliç et al. |
2003 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
5th, 6th and 7th ribs |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Karapolat et al. |
2012 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
12 |
|
Karaoğlanoğlu et al. |
2001 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
5th and 6th ribs, Serratus anterior muscle, Latissimus dorsi muscle |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
6 |
|
Kaplanoğlu et al. |
2017 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
Intercostal muscle |
No |
N\A |
No |
12 |
|
Honda et al. |
2010 |
1 |
N\A |
Hypertonic saline |
N\A |
Albendazole |
N\A |
No |
16 |
|
Han et al. |
2004 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
7th rib |
Albendazole |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Gezer et al. |
2006 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
1st rib |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
15 |
|
Foroulis et al. |
2003 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
Hypertonic saline |
10th vertebra, 9th and 10th ribs |
Albendazole |
No |
No |
48 |
|
Findikcioglu et al. |
2010 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
Riband vertebra |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Faber et al. |
2010 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
1st rib |
No |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Demir et al. |
2010 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Chafik et al. |
2009 |
1 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
Albendazole |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Sinberg et al. |
1936 |
1 |
N\A |
Hypertonic saline |
Sternum |
No |
Slight superficial infection |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Rose et al. |
1893 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
Hemorrhage |
N\A |
N\A |
|
Machboua et al.
|
2023 |
5 |
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
Pleurocutaneous fistula, Disabling parietal pain and neurological pain, Disorder of the Shoulder Girdle. |
No |
24 |
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
Rib and vertebra |
No |
No |
N\A
|
N\A |
|||
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
No |
N\A
|
N\A |
|||
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
No |
N\A
|
N\A |
|||
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A
|
N\A |
|||
|
Özdemir et al. |
1994 |
6 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A
|
N\A |
|||
|
Thoracotomy |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||
|
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
|||
|
Avci et al. |
2005 |
1 |
N\A |
N\A |
N\A |
No |
No |
N\A |
N\A |
|
N/A:non-available |
|||||||||
Main findings
The reported cases were primarily from Turkey (41.5%). The mean age of the patients was 39.7 ± 17.1 years, with a male predominance (56.9%). The past medical history for HC was positive in 10 cases (19.6%). The most common clinical presentations were swelling in 24 cases (47.1%) and chest or abdominal pain in 23 cases (45.1%). Only 10 cases (19.6%) had reported a history of animal contact, while one patient (2%) reported no such history. Data on the history of animal contact was unavailable in 78.4% of cases. Among those with documented residency (35.3%), 16 (31.4%) resided in rural areas, while two (3.9%) were from urban settings. The disease was primary in sixteen cases (31.4%), and in nine (17.6%), it was secondary. The disease origin was unknown in 26 cases (51%). The average mass size on the CT scan was 7.5 ± 2.4 cm. Hydatid serology was performed in 18 patients, yielding positive results in nine (50%). A provisional diagnosis of hydatid disease was considered in 14 cases (27.5%). Pre-operative treatment with albendazole was administered to eight patients (15.7%). Surgery was the treatment of choice, with thoracotomy performed in 37.3% of cases, video-assisted thoracoscopy (VATS) in 1.9%, and the surgical technique not specified in 60.8% of cases. The average hospital stay was 8.6 ± 4.4 days. The ribs (31.4%) were the primary involved sites, followed by the muscles (11.8%). Postoperative medication included albendazole in 25 cases (49%) and albendazole with chemotherapy in one case (1.9%). Twenty-four cases (47.1%) had received no postoperative treatment. Only four cases (7.8%) faced complications. No recurrence was reported after a mean follow-up period of 14.1± 10.3 months ().
| Variables | Frequency/percentage |
|---|---|
|
Mean Age (years) |
39.7 ± 17.1 |
|
Sex Male Female |
29 (56.9%) 22 (43.1%) |
|
Country of study Turkey Morocco Greece India Iran Iraq United Kingdom Afghanistan Ethiopia Israel Japan Jordan Romania Saudi Arabia United States |
17 (41.5%) 3 (7.3%) 3 (7.3%) 3 (7.3%) 3 (7.3%) 2 (5.0%) 2 (5.0%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) 1 (2.4%) |
|
Past medical history of hydatid cyst Positive Negative |
10 (19.6%) 41 (80.4%) |
|
Contact with an animal Yes No N\A |
10 (19.6%) 1 (2.0%) 40 (78.4%) |
|
Residency Rural Urban N\A |
16 (31.4%) 2 (3.9%) 33 (64.7%) |
|
Origin Primary Secondary N\A |
16 (31.4%) 9 (17.6%) 26 (51.0%) |
| Size of the mass on CT scan | 7.5 ± 2.4 cm |
|
Presentation Swelling Chest/Abdominal pain Dyspnea Cough Shoulder/back pain Numbness Others N\A |
24 (47.1%) 23 (45.1%) 4 (7.8%) 4 (7.8%) 9 (17.6%) 5 (9.8%) 6 (11.8%) 4 (7.8%) |
|
Hydatid serology test Positive Negative N\A |
9 (17.6%) 9 (17.6%) 33 (64.7%) |
|
Provisional diagnosis Hydatid disease Chest wall tumor Aneurysmal bone cyst Ewing sarcoma Hematoma N\A |
14 (27.5%) 3 (5.9%) 1 (1.9%) 1 (1.9%) 1 (1.9%) 31 (60.8%) |
|
Pre-operative medication Albendazole No |
8 (15.7%) 43 (84.3%) |
|
Surgical approach Thoracotomy Video-assisted thoracoscopy N\A |
19 (37.3%) 1 (1.9%) 31 (60.8%) |
|
Injection of scolicidal agent with surgery Hypertonic saline Formalin No |
8 (15.7%) 1 (1.9%) 42 (82.4%) |
|
Site of involvement Rib Muscle Sternum Vertebra N\A |
16 (31.4%) 6 (11.8%) 3 (5.9%) 3 (5.9%) 28 (54.9%) |
|
Post-operative medication Albendazole Albendazole and chemotherapy No N/A |
25 (49.0%) 1 (1.9%) 24 (47.1%) 1 (1.9%) |
|
Mean postoperative hospital stay (days)* |
8.6 ± 4.4 |
|
Outcome of surgery Recovered with no complication Recovered with complication N\A |
29 (56.9%) 4 (7.8%) 18 (35.3%) |
|
Average duration of follow-up (months) |
14.1± 10.3 |
|
Recurrence Yes No N\A |
0 (0.0%) 21 (41.0%) 30 (59.0%) |
|
N/A: non-available, CT: computed tomography. *For 12 patients out of 51 patients who underwent surgery. #For 23 patients out of 51 patients who underwent surgery. |
|
Discussion
Human echinococcosis, a prevalent parasitic infection, presents a considerable health and economic burden to society, yet it remains largely neglected as a disease . The findings of this study provide a comprehensive review of chest wall HC, with the majority of the studies conducted in Turkey (41.5%), followed by Morocco (7.3%), Greece (7.3%), India (7.3%), and Iran (7.3%). The higher incidence in these countries may reflect the endemic nature of hydatid disease, likely due to closer contact with livestock and domestic animals . However, it has become a pressing global health issue, primarily attributed to increasing immigration rates and travel activities .
The mean age of 39.7 years, with a slight male predominance (56.9%), suggests that both demographic groups are at risk. However, occupational or environmental exposure factors could contribute to the observed gender disparity.
Clinically, the most common presentation was swelling (47.1%), followed by chest or abdominal pain (45.1%). This indicates that chest wall HCs may present as localized symptoms rather than systemic manifestations . The relatively low percentage (19.6%) of patients with a history of animal contact suggests that direct exposure may not always be reported or remembered, or that indirect exposure through contaminated water or food could also be significant transmission routes . In addition, a review by Possenti and colleagues suggested that the primary route of human cystic echinococcosis transmission may be the direct or indirect contamination of hands with Echinococcus granulosus eggs excreted by dogs .
Schantz et al. indicated that individuals who own livestock are three times more likely to be diagnosed with this disease compared to those who do not own livestock . In accordance with this finding, 16 (88.9%) of the 18 cases with known residency were from rural areas.
Ten cases (19.6%) had a positive history for HC at other sites, and the primary origin of cysts in 31.4% of patients and secondary origin in 17.6% highlights the importance of considering both primary infection or possible spread from other sites, such as the liver or lungs, as the diagnosis and treatment strategies may be different .
In the present study, the average cyst size on the CT scan was 7.5 cm, reflecting potentially large cysts that could cause significant local pressure effects or complications; this might be because the course of infection is slow, and most infected individuals remain either asymptomatic for years or exhibit non-specific symptoms leading to accidental diagnosis . Parasite eggs can remain viable from several months up to a few years in the environment, and diverse conditions .
Only nine (50%) out of 18 patients with available data in this systematic review had positive hydatid serology, suggesting that serological tests alone may not be sufficient for diagnosis and imaging, particularly CT scans, plays a crucial role in the diagnostic process . The provisional diagnosis of hydatid disease in only 27.5% of the cases underscores the diagnostic challenges faced by clinicians, especially when the clinical presentation is atypical or when imaging findings are inconclusive .
The importance and priority of infection prevention by practicing several preventive actions, especially in developing countries, has been proposed. The most significant of them included self-hygiene practices, proper washing and cooking of foods, and avoiding eating raw foods or groceries . Regarding management, surgical intervention was the primary treatment modality . A study indicated that while VATS has been successfully applied in managing pulmonary HCs, its adoption remains limited. It has been pointed out that many surgeons are still hesitant to use VATS due to a lack of familiarity with the technique and concerns about potential complications, such as cyst rupture or spillage of infectious material [59]. In this review, authors came across similar findings, such as thoracotomy being performed in 37.3% of cases and VATS being performed in 1.9%. This may depend on cyst size and location. Furthermore, the low utilization of minimally invasive approaches like thoracoscopy may suggest either a preference for traditional open techniques or a lack of resources or expertise in minimally invasive surgery in some settings. The postoperative outcomes were generally favorable, with only 7.8% of patients facing complications, and no recurrence was reported, emphasizing the effectiveness of surgical management.
Machboua et al. on intra-thoracic extra-pulmonary hydatidosis noted that the average duration of hospitalization was only seven days, which is similar to what was found in this study (8.58 ± 4.44 days) .
The administration of post-operative albendazole alone (49%) or in combination with other medications (1.9%) may appear to be a standard practice to prevent recurrence, even though no recurrences were reported in this study. This could reflect a preventive strategy against the possible dissemination of HCs during surgery . Overall, the study may provide valuable insights into the epidemiology, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and management outcomes of chest wall HCs; however, the lack of essential data in a number of reviewed studies might generate biased or non-conclusive findings.
Conclusion
Despite its rarity, chest wall HC may have a good prognosis with few complications. Given its often-nonspecific presentation, reviewing the patient's medical history may help establish an accurate provisional diagnosis.