[Echinococcosis of the rib with epidural extension]

Osseous hydatidosis, especially when located in the rib, is a very rare disease. Less than 50 cases of costal echinococcosis have been reported in the literature to date. The authors report a case of echinococcosis of the rib with epidural extension in a 76-year-old patient presenting paraparesis. In addition, the patient presented a large posterior and thoracic soft tissue mass measuring about 30 centimetres in diameter. A chest x-ray, a CT thoracic scan and an MRI of the dorsal spine were performed. The imaging suggested echinococcosis of the rib with epidural extension. The cyst was completely resected. Histopathology of the resected specimen confirmed the diagnosis of echinococcosis. The patient died due to postoperative complications. Accurate presurgical diagnosis allows for appropriate management and helps eradicate the disease. This also prevents the dissemination of parasites and further complications.