A comprehensive study of pericardial hydatid cyst; systematic review and meta-data presentation

Abstract

Introduction Pericardial hydatid cyst comprises 7% of all cardiac hydatidosis, but its occurrence is concomitant with several life-threatening complications. This study is a review of the reported studies of pericardial hydatid cysts. Methods A systematic review of the published studies of pericardial hydatid cysts was conducted. The studies of cardiac hydatid cysts with the following properties were included: 1) The pericardium infection was confirmed by diagnostic modalities, surgical findings, or histopathology. 2) The case presentation was provided in the study. 3) The cyst (s) originally located or adhered to the pericardium and did not rupture into it from the other adjacent cardiac structures or organs. Results Overall, 106 studies were compatible with the inclusion criteria. Most of the cases (29.72%) were reported in Turkey, followed by India (18.24%). There was no gender predilection, and the age of the patients was distributed between 5 and 80 years old. The most common symptoms were chest pain (43%), and dyspnea (36%). Hydatid cysts were only found in the pericardium in 56% of cases and multiloculated in 44%. Surgery was the treatment of choice (87.8%), and cystectomy (72.3%) was the major technique of cyst removal. The total number of recurrences was 3 cases (2%). There was a significant correlation between recurrence and the history of hydatidosis. The mortality rate was 2.7%. Conclusion Pericardial hydatid disease is more common in subtropical regions. The definitive treatment of a pericardial hydatid cyst is surgery, mainly through a median sternotomy. A history of hydatidosis increases the likelihood of recurrence.