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Temporoparietal Brain Hydatid Cyst in an Eight-Year-Old Child: A Rare Case Report
Gashaw Arega1, Gelassa Merga1, Getu Tafa1
1Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, School of Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Insights
Brain hydatidosis, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is rare in children. This case highlights the diagnosis and successful surgical removal of a temporoparietal brain hydatid cyst in an 8-year-old girl.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Hydatidosis, a parasitic infection by Echinococcus granulosus, commonly affects the liver and lungs in children globally.
- Intracranial hydatidosis is an exceptionally rare presentation in pediatric patients, often with nonspecific clinical signs.
Observation:
- An 8-year-old female presented with a right temporoparietal brain hydatid cyst.
- Brain MRI revealed a thin-walled cystic lesion with mass effect and midline shift, lacking abnormal enhancement or surrounding edema.
Findings:
- Radiological diagnosis of a temporoparietal brain hydatid cyst was confirmed by histopathological examination.
- Histology showed a laminated acellular cyst wall with a germinal layer, but no protoscolices.
Implications:
- Complete surgical excision of brain hydatid cysts is crucial for successful treatment in children.
- Prompt diagnosis and management, including postoperative albendazole therapy, lead to favorable outcomes in pediatric brain hydatidosis.
Abstract:
Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus, which affects children in many different parts of the world. It commonly affects the lungs and the liver of the children. Brain hydatidosis is an extremely rare clinical condition in the pediatric population, presenting with non-specific symptoms and signs. The diagnosis of intracranial hydatid cysts can be established by brain magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological examination of the specimen. Here, we report an 8-year-old female child diagnosed with a temporoparietal brain hydatid cyst. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed a thin-walled cystic lesion located in the right temporoparietal lobe with significant mass effect and midline shift, with no abnormal wall or solid enhancement, and no surrounding edema. The diagnosis of brain temporoparietal hydatid cyst was made radiologically. The patient was operated on and the cyst was completely removed without rupture. The removed cyst was sent for histopathological examination; the histological sections showed a laminated acellular cyst wall with a nucleated germinal layer and no protoscolices, and the diagnosis of temporoparietal brain hydatid cyst was confirmed. The patient had a smooth postoperative course, started albendazole therapy, and was discharged with improvement.

