Is surgical therapy the only treatment of choice for cardiac echinococcossis with multiple organ involvement?

A 25-year-old male patient suffered from multi-organ hydatidosis including cardiac and bilateral pulmonary echinococcosis. Echocardiography revealed the hydatid cyst 20×35 mm in dimension located in the interventricular septum. The patient refused surgery; albendazole 400 mg/day was given orally and was continued for 24 months. The follow-up echocardiography 24 months later showed that the cyst showed regression 15×25 mm in dimension and demonstrated albendazole-induced echocardiographic changes. Medical treatment in hydatid disease might be recommended when the disease is extensive, the surgery is contraindicated or refused by the patient. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Case Report Primary Sarcoma of the Heart Diagnosed by 2-D Echocardiography: A Case Report

Primary heart neoplasms are rare. We present a case of right ventricular mass evaluated by 2-D echocardiography who underwent surgery and died postoperatively. Histopathological and electron microscopic diagnosis was undifferentiated mesenchymal cell sarcoma of the heart. In view of the variability of the clinical features of cardiac tumors. 2-D echocardiography is a valuable tool and, in our opinion, essential for early diagnosis. To the authors' knowledge this is the first report of a case of primary cardiac sarcoma in Turkey in whom electron microscopic evaluation was done.</p