Persistent pleural effusion after open heart surgery: giant hydatid cyst of the liver and its demonstrative images. A case report.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately in 50% of the patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), pleural fluid collection occurs at the early postoperative period and resolves spontaneously. CASE REPORT CABG was performed on a 54-year-old male. In the early postoperative period, the chest roentgenogram revealed right pleural collection. The preoperative and the postoperative hepatic function tests were nor-mal. MR scanning revealed a giant hydatid cyst at the apex of the liver. The cyst was excised through thoracotomy transphrenically and primary capitonage was applied. CONCLUSIONS: In the persistent right pleural effusion that occurs after open heart surgery hydatid cyst of the liver should be remembered, especially in the endemic regions.