Intraspinal hydatidosis with retroperitoneal extension: an uncommon location

Hydatidosis is a ubiquitous disease that is endemic in India. It most commonly involves the liver (75%) and lungs (15%) with only 10% occurring in the rest of the body. Primary hydatid cyst in the spinal canal is extremely rare. Intraspinal hydatid accounts for 0.5-1% of the cases and carries a poor prognosis. It presents as a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. We present one such case of a 64-year-old man with associated radiculopathy and myelomalcia.