ISSN: 0022-1198
CODEN: JFSCA
Published Online: 1 September 2002
Page Count: 3

Sudden Death Due to an Unrecognized Cardiac Hydatid Cyst
Peschos, D
Associate Professor of Pathology, Staff Cytopathologist, Cytopathologist, and Professor in Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Sideris, D
Cardiologist, Cardiologist, and Professor in Cardiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Grekas, G
Cardiologist, Cardiologist, and Professor in Cardiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Pappa, L
Associate Professor of Pathology, Staff Cytopathologist, Cytopathologist, and Professor in Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Agnantis, NJ
Associate Professor of Pathology, Staff Cytopathologist, Cytopathologist, and Professor in Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Kazakos, N
Cardiologist, Cardiologist, and Professor in Cardiology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Vougiouklakis, T
Assistant Professor of Forensic Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

Malamou-Mitsi, V
Associate Professor of Pathology, Staff Cytopathologist, Cytopathologist, and Professor in Pathology, Medical School, University of Ioannina,

(Received 1 May 2002; accepted 15 April 2002)

Abstract

Echinococcosis is an endemic disease, most common in sheep-raising communities, usually caused by the larval or cyst stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus. Isolated cardiac hydatid cyst is uncommon at any age, occurs through the coronary circulation, and accounts for less than 3% of all hydatid disease.

We describe a case of an 18-year-old female, who died suddenly. The post-mortem examination revealed an isolated cyst in the left ventricle of the heart with intact wall. The cytologic examination of the cyst fluid demonstrated the presence of the characteristic scolices and hooklets and es-tablished the diagnosis of cardiac hydatid cyst.

The present case is of special interest because of the rare primary localization and the onset of sudden death in a young person as the initial manifestation of the disease.

Keywords:
forensic science, forensic cytopathology, heart, echinococcosis, hydatid cyst, sudden death

Paper ID: JFS15520J
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15520J
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