Introduction
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is defined as a process of
non-hydrostatic pulmonary edema and hypoxemia. Different etiologies and
risk factors have been attributed to the development of ARDS including
bacterial or viral pneumonia, sepsis, aspiration of gastrointestinal
lumen contents, trauma, and blood transfusion. Bilateral chest opacities
on chest X-ray or CT scan are characteristic of ARDS. Supportive therapy
with mechanical ventilation and fluid management is the cornerstone of
treatment. Corticosteroids have been known as an effective therapy [1,
2]. Pulmonary hydatid cysts caused by a parasitic tapeworm named
echinococcus granulosus may cause cough, chest pain, hemoptysis,
pneumothorax, pleural effusion, or empyema. Fever and hypersensitivity
reactions including anaphylaxis may occur as a consequence of pulmonary
hydatid cyst rupture [3].
In this case report, we described a young male who developed acute
respiratory distress syndrome after the spontaneous rupture of a
pulmonary hydatid cyst. Hydatid cyst-related ARDS is a rare and
life-threatening complication that is not still well recognized.