Spinal intradural extramedullary hydatidosis: report of three cases
Fayçal Lakhdar1, Yasser Arkha, Loubna Rifi
1Department of Neurosurgery, Hôpital des Spécialités, Mohamed Vth University School of Medicine, Rabat, Morocco. lakhdar.faycal@gmail.com
Objective:
Spinal hydatid cyst is a serious form of hydatid disease affecting fewer than 1% of all patients with hydatid disease. We report 3 healthy patients who presented with progressive paraparesis attributed to a histologically proven intradural hydatid cyst.
Methods:
There were 2 children (1 boy, 1 girl) and 1 adult with a mean age of 12 years. The median follow-up duration was 16 months. Spinal magnetic resonance imaging was performed in the 3 patients, and an anatomic and topographical diagnosis of the intradural hydatid cyst was made.
Results:
Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed cystic lesions with peripheral contrast enhancement. Surgery was performed through laminectomy, complete resection was achieved, and antihelminthic treatment with albendazole 10 mg/kg-1 per day for 6 months was included in the postoperative treatment. The patients improved after surgery with normal motor function.
Conclusion:
This localization is rare and serious, but its prognosis is excellent if diagnosis is made early enough and surgery is performed in time to prevent cyst rupture.
