Intracranial hydatid cyst in a pediatric patient: a rare mimic of brain malignancy

Cerebral hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is uncommon in children but presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its potential to mimic malignancy. Only a handful of cases with such a dilemma have been reported yet in the literature. We report a case of a 12-year-old female presenting with progressive headache and seizures, initially suspected to be a pilocytic astrocytoma. However, histopathological evaluation following surgical excision of the lesion rendered an unexpected diagnosis of a cerebral hydatid cyst. This emphasizes the importance of considering parasitic infections in the differential diagnosis of cystic brain lesions, particularly in endemic regions. Surgical removal without rupture is critical to prevent recurrence and complications. This case highlights the need for a thorough understanding of the clinical, imaging, and histopathological assessments to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely appropriate intervention to improve outcomes of such rare intracranial pathologies mimicking malignancy in children.