Massive rupture of a hepatic hydatid cyst associated with mechanical ventilation.

Abstract

An 80-yr-old woman with a complicated Echinococcus cyst of the liver underwent endotracheal intubation with a simple endotracheal tube and conventional mechanical ventilation that led to massive rupture of the cyst into the bronchi followed by fatal anaphylactic shock. We believe that the currently recommended use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube during surgery in the pulmonary hydatid cysts should be extended to hydatid cysts of the liver with thoracic involvement. We present a case of massive rupture of hepatic Echinococcus cyst associated with mechanical ventilation. We believe that the use of a double-lumen endotracheal tube could be crucial in the management of the hydatid cysts of the liver with thoracic involvement.