[Cerebral hydatidosis. Analysis of a series of 23 cases]

The aim of the present study was to contribute to the knowledge of cerebral hydatidosis so as to improve the prognosis of a benign condition with a malignant behavior, as it has a high relapse rate with a high morbidity.

A retrospective study of cerebral hydatidosis has been carried out in 23 patients, seen at the University Hospital Virgen del Rocío during the last 20 years. The following variables were recorded: 1) Sex and age at presentation; 2) epidemiological data; 3) number, size, localization and rate of growth of cysts; 4) latency period; 5) clinical features; 6) yield of imaging procedures; 7) surgical approaches and medical therapy; and 8) relapses and sequelae. A comparative study was made of patients aged 14 years or less and those above this age.

The mean age of the patients was 15.1 +/- 10.3 years (65% were younger than 14 years). 24% were males. 65% came from Extremadura and 74% had a rural background. The latency period was 7.9 +/- 9.2 months (range 15 days-36 months), and it was shorter in children (4.2 +/- 3.8 vs 12.6 +/- 12.7 months) (p less than 0.05). 74% had a single cyst. The cyst size was greater in children (91 +/- 46 vs 67 +/- 35 mm), as it was the rate of growth, particularly in patients younger than 10 years (13.5 +/- 7 vs 9.2 +/- 2 mm/year) (p less than 0.001). 48% had intraparenchymal localization and 70% were in the right hemisphere. In two cases the localization was intraventricular and it was cerebellar in one. Cranial computed tomography was the imaging procedure with the highest yield. The diagnosis was confirmed with pathological examination. In 6 patients (26%) the Dowling and Orlando technique (hydatid delivery) was carried out without subsequent relapses. In 7 cases (30%), and owing to surgical technique difficulties or accidents, puncture and aspiration were carried out, with 4 relapses (57%). In 10 cases cyst rupture occurred, with 6 relapses (60%). The growth rate of the relapses was 9.4 +/- 6.5 mm/month. 87% had severe sequelae, associated with relapses and multiplicity, two patients died (9%).

1) Cerebral hydatidosis predominates in children and young adult males of a rural background; 2) usually there is a long latency period, which is shorter in children; 3) the size and the growth rate of the cysts is greater in children; 4) computed tomography is the imaging technique with the highest yield; 5) Dowling and Orlando technique is the most effective surgical procedure; 6) the incidence of relapses is high, depending on the type of surgical approach.