Cerebral Hydatid Disease: Clinical Analysis of Ten Cases

Objective: Cerebral hydatid disease is a rare manifestation of echinococcosis but it constitutes a significant part of all intracranial mass lesions. This study aims to determine the clinical, radiological and surgical features of brain hydatidosis and share our experience. Method: Medical records of ten patients with cerebral hydatid disease were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical presentations, radiological examinations, treatment modalities and outcomes of the patients were analyzed. Results: All patients were admitted from the rural areas. Nine patients had E. Granulosus cyst and one patient had E. Multilocularis cyst. The cyst was solitary in nine patients and multiple in one. Multiple organ involvement was found in one patient. Cysts were located in the right cerebral hemisphere in five patients, left cerebral hemisphere in four patients and posterior fossa in one. All patients were treated surgically. Complications related to surgery were observed in four patient. All patients improved after the treatment. There were no recurrences or residual cysts among the patients. Conclusion: Hydatic disease should considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial space occupying lesions in developing countries. Early diagnosis of cerebral hydatid cysts may prevent serious life-threatening complications of this disease. Outcome is favourable when the cyst is completely removed without rupture.