Surgical treatment of giant hydatid cyst of the left ventricle and diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging.

Cardiac echinococcosis has not been reported frequently. Because of the risk of potentially lethal complications, early diagnosis and definitive treatment are very important. The case of a 41-year-old physician, in whom diagnosis of giant left ventricular hydatid cyst was established with cross-sectional echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging, is presented. The cyst was removed surgically and mitral valve replacement performed because of destruction of the valve.