Sudden Death Due to Ruptured Hydatid Cyst of the Liver

Abstract

The cyst stage of Echinococcus granulosus is commonly located in the liver, which frequently results in a long symptomless period. We present a sudden death due to a freshly hemorrhagic hydatid cyst following blunt trauma to the liver in a 19-year-old boy. The possible mechanism was thought to be an anaphylactoid reaction to the leakage of the cyst fluid.

Sudden Death Due to Hydatid Disease: A Six‐Year Study in the Northern Part of Tunisia

“…In our study, anaphylaxis (or an anaphylaxis complication) was the most frequent cause of death (65%). Anaphylaxis is attributed to leakage of the very antigenic cyst fluid in blood vessels or in anatomic cavities (3,4,7,10). This can be caused by a macroscopic or a microscopic rupture of the cyst (19) which could be caused by a trauma usually an abdominal blunt or a sport trauma (4,20,21).…”

“…Human ecchinococcosis also known as hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused by the tapeworm Ecchinococcus ( E .). Human infection is frequently caused by Ecchinococcus granulosus , responsible for 95% of the 2–3 Million global cases worldwide mainly in the Mediterranean both costs and Middle East countries, Great Britain, Southern Africa, Australia, New Zeland and South America followed by E. multilocuralis which causes cystic and alveolar Ecchinocosis, respectively . It is a widespread disease, endemic in rural areas where sheep raising is a common activity, and therefore, a close contact between humans and sheep is established .…”

Non-thrombotic Pulmonary Embolism Due to Liver Hydatic Cyst: A Case Report

“…Organisms that reach the gastrointestinal system are carried to the liver via the portal vein and then to the right heart and lungs via the pulmonary artery. They may then remain in the spleen, muscles, and central nervous system or be carried in tissues via the systemic circulation ( 4 , 7 ).…”

An Analysis of Possible Mechanisms of Unexpected Death Occurring in Hydatid Disease (Echinococcosis)

“…Sudden death is usually due to anaphylaxis (in 20% of cases) following rupture of a cyst and release of highly antigenic hydatid scolices (9). Rupture tends to involve cysts within the liver and less often the heart, and may be precipitated by relatively minor chest or abdominal trauma or by increased pressure within the cyst (3,8,10). Between 1 and 8% of infected individuals may suffer cyst rupture into the peritoneal cavity.…”

“…Although hydatid disease is relatively rare, the incidence rises in certain areas, with between 1 and 220 cases of cystic hydatid disease per 100,000 of the population reported in parts of southern Africa, southern Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, southern South America, and certain Mediterranean countries such as Turkey. These tend to be areas where there is close contact with dogs that are used to herd grazing animals (3). It has been noted, however, that hydatid disease is now no longer restricted to endemic areas given increasing international travel (4).…”