Primary intramedullary hydatid cyst: a case report and literature review

Intramedullary hydatid cyst is extremely rare. We present a case of pathologically confirmed primary intramedullary hydatid cyst in an otherwise healthy patient. A 17-year-old boy presented with lumbar pain, weakness, and numbness in both lower limbs, and urinate difficulty interrupted for 2 years. The patient had no other signs of systemic hydatid cyst disease. An intramedullary cystic lesion was identified with magnetic resonance imaging and was shown to be a hydatid cyst by histopathologic examination after the surgical removal. Although extremely rare, primary intramedullary hydatid cyst pathology might be the cause of lumbar pain, weakness, and numbness in both lower limbs for those living in endemic areas. Surgical removement is feasible and effective for intramedullary hydatid cyst.