Cerebral Hydatid Cysts: A Case Series

Abstract

Introduction: Echinococcosis (hydatid disease or hydatidosis) is a cosmopolitan anthropozoonosis common to both humans and herbivorous animals. Cerebral hydatid cyst is very rare accounting for only 0.5 to 3% of all cases. They represent about 1-2% of all intracranial lesions. Fifty to seventy five percent of the patients suffering from echinococcosis are children and young adults. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included four patients who were treated for intracranial hydatid cysts between 2016 and 2019, in Neurosurgery department, CHU Mohammed VI, Oujda, Morocco. They were three male children and one young female, aged between 3 and 22 years, with an average age of 10, 75. Increased intracranial pressure and seizure represent the most common symptoms. Patients were evaluated with MRI (1.5 T), and underwent a chest X-ray, echocardiography and abdominal CT scan and ultrasound to reveal any other locations. All lesions were surgically removed and received medical treatment. Results: The cysts were successfully removed using the Dowling technique. The postoperative period was uneventful no complications observed, seizures were not seen during follow-up. Conclusion: This report aims to emphasize the clinical, radiological and therapeutic features related to this infectious condition that involves the central nervous system with a literature review.