Giant cerebral hydatid cyst with intraventricular extension: A rare case report with imaging findings

Hydatid cyst is the condition caused by larvae of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, usually involving the liver, lung, and spleen. Involvement of the cerebrum with a hydatid cyst is a rare entity, comprising 2%-3% of all cases of hydatidosis. Intraventricular extension of cerebral hydatid cysts occurs in only a limited percentage of cases. Cerebral hydatid cysts can present with nonspecific symptoms, usually with features of raised intracranial pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to consider cerebral hydatid cysts as a potential diagnosis, especially in pediatric patients with nonspecific neurological symptoms, particularly those from areas endemic to the parasite. We report a case of a 9-year-old girl who presented with progressive headache and vomiting, with imaging findings suggestive of a giant hydatid cyst in the brain. She was managed surgically with a good outcome.