[Echinococcosis of the spine]

21 patients with hydatid disease of the spine were operated on upon a 30-year period. The follow-up ranged up to 24 years. 12 cases underwent one or more reoperations, due to recurrences. 8 patients died between 1 and 21 years after the first operation. The surgical treatment usually allows only a transient remission and does not avoid recurrence or progression of the illness. Although the parasite cannot be wholly eradicated surgically, a prolonged and acceptable life with the disease can result from repeat surgical interference.