[Hydatid cyst of the heart].

A44-year-old woman was admitted to our institution with a history of shortness of breath on mild exertion, cough, fever, and weight loss of 20 pounds. Past history was not significant until 2 months before the hospitalization, when she developed weakness and cough with occasional mucoid sputum. She did not smoke or take any medication. Examination revealed no lymphadenopathy, jaundice, or neck vein engorgement but did show mild hepatomegaly. A chest radiograph and CT of the thorax showed multiple nodules 2 to 3 cm in diameter in both lung fields suggestive of multiple pulmonary emboli. A lung ventilation/perfusion scan was positive for multiple pulmonary emboli. Leg ultrasound was negative for deep venous thrombosis. An ECG showed sinus tachycardia. Laboratory tests demonstrated marked eosinophilia, with negative Brucella, Q fever, rheumatoid factor, anti-nuclear antibody, anti– hepatitis C virus, and hepatitis B surface antigen tests.