The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 55, 774-775, Copyright © 1993 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Infected hepatic Echinococcus cyst presenting as recurrent Escherichia coli empyema
R Chang, M Higgins, R DiLisio, A Hawasli, LG Camaro and R Khatib
St. John Hospital and Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan 48236.
An 81-year-old man, previously a shepherd in Italy, presented with
recurrent Escherichia coli empyema over an 8-month period. His empyema was
caused by an infected, nonviable hepatic Echinococcus cyst that eroded the
diaphragm and led to intermittent spillage and pleural seeding. This case
demonstrates that when dealing with Escherichia coli empyema, a
subdiaphragmatic source ought to be suspected, and among immigrants from
areas with prevalent hydatid disease, infected hepatic Echinococcus cyst
might rarely be the cause.