Giant Primary Intracranial Hydatid Cyst in Child with Hemiparesis

Hydatid cyst is the larval form of the parasite Echinococcus. Echinococcus granulosus and less commonly Echinococcus multilocularis species cause the disease. Intracranial hydatid disease is relatively rare; the incidence is approximately 1%-2%. Intracranial hydatid cyst can be classified as primary and secondary. A primary cyst, the most common type, is always solitary. The treatment of hydatid cyst is surgical, and the aim of surgery is to remove the cyst without rupture to prevent recurrence or anaphylactic reaction. The Dowling technique (improved by Arana-Iniguez and San Julian) has been widely used for the excision. Albendazole and praziquantel are the medical treatment of choice. In recurrent cases or cases with rupture during surgery, medical therapy has been reported to be effective. Preoperative and postoperative albendazole may be considered to sterilize the cyst, decrease the chance of anaphylaxis, lower the tension in the cyst wall, and reduce the recurrence.