Cerebral hydatid cysts: technique and pitfalls of surgical management

Hydatid cysts are rare, but most often they occur in the liver and lungs. Cerebral manifestation is very rare, and surgery is the main treatment. The goal of surgery is to remove the cysts in toto without rupture. The aim of this study was to investigate the surgical technique of removing cerebral hydatid cysts and to show the possible pitfalls of surgery.

This study included 17 patients who underwent surgery for an intracranial hydatid cyst. The Dowling technique was used in all patients. This technique is based on the large cranial opening, careful handling, meticulous cortical dissection, and removal of the cyst by hydrostatic assistance.

The hydatid cysts were removed unruptured in 88% of the cases. The cysts ruptured intraoperatively in 2 patients, and the ventricular system was opened in 1 of them. Anaphylactic reaction or chemical meningitis did not occur, but recurrence and spinal seeding were observed in the follow-up of these patients. The thin cyst wall, periventricular locations, and microadhesions to the surrounding brain tissue were the main surgical problems. None of the patients died after the surgery.

Although this technique seems safe and easy, there are some pitfalls concerning the cyst location and surgical approach. Successful management requires a flexible therapeutic strategy and meticulous dissection by an experienced surgeon.