Flexible Fibreoptic Bronchoscopy and Bronchoalveolar Lavage for Confirmation of Pulmonary Hydatid Disease in Children: A Case Series

Hydatid disease of the lungs is common in endemic regions. It can be suspected clinically by non-specific respiratory symptoms in children living in endemic regions, especially when they are close to sheep or dogs. Chest imaging X-ray or computed tomography may show characteristic cysts in some cases, but typical findings are absent in many children. Hydatid serology may contribute to the diagnosis, but does not have sufficient sensitivity for pulmonary cysts. Thus, there is no confirmatory diagnostic test, other than surgical excision and histopathologic examination. Hence, there is a need for more reliable diagnostic tests. We present a series of children, both with and without suspected pulmonary hydatid, wherein flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FFOB) performed under conscious sedation, revealed hydatid membranes in the airways. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) analysis revealed hydatid in most of them. Thus the diagnosis could be confirmed even before surgical excision of cysts was performed. We propose that FFOB with BAL could be useful to confirm the diagnosis of pulmonary hydatid in children. This will be particularly helpful in children without characteristic radiological or serological findings. To the best of our knowledge, this is a completely novel approach to the condition with potential to alter the diagnostic paradigm Lay summary Hydatid disease of the lungs is commonly encountered in endemic regions. However, there is no confirmatory diagnostic test for pulmonary hydatid cyst, other than surgical excision and histopathologic examination. Imaging including chest X-ray and computed tomography may not be typical, especially in complicated cysts and hydatid serology does not have a satisfactory sensitivity for diagnosing lung cysts. Thus, there is a need for more reliable diagnostic tests. We present a series of children, both with and without suspected pulmonary hydatid, wherein flexible fibreoptic bronchoscopy (FFOB) under conscious sedation, revealed hydatid membranes in the airways. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) analysis confirmed hydatid in most of them. We propose FFOB with BAL as a useful diagnostic modality to confirm pulmonary hydatid in children, prior to surgical excision. To the best of our knowledge, this is a completely novel approach to the condition with potential to alter the diagnostic paradigm.