"Near drowning" due to hydatid disease

Spontaneous rupture of a hydatid cyst is reported in a 19-year-old cattlema n. Mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure and a light lower lobecto my were required for flooding of the airway with hydatid cyst fluid. The po stoperative course was complicated by the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Complete recovery occurred with no recurrence following treatment with albendazole, praziquantel and partial hepatectomy.