HYDATID CYST OF THE HEART - DIAGNOSTIC-VALUE OF 2-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY WITH RESPECT TO 2 SURGICAL CASES

The authors report the cases of two young Moroccan patients with hydatic cysts of the heart diagnosed by echocardiography. The clinical, radiological and electrocardiographic signs were non-specific. Two-dimensional echocardiography provided a rapid anatomical diagnosis. There were no other visceral localisations of the hydatid disease. In the second case, the hydatid serology was positive and the vascular relations to the tumour were determined preoperatively by coronary angiography. Surgical ablation was performed in both cases. These two cases illustrate the diagnostic value of two-dimensional echocardiography in hydatid cyst of the heart and underline the absolute necessity of surgical ablation before complications develop.