Clinical and Radiological Features of a Large Intracranial Hydatid Cyst: A New Case Report

Intracranial hydatid cyst is a rare but potentially fatal parasitic infection caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus. This report details a case of an intracranial hydatid cyst in an 11-year-old boy who presented with progressive headaches, nausea, vomiting, urinary incontinence, and tachycardia. Physical examination and initial laboratory studies were unremarkable, with no eosinophilia noted. Neuroimaging revealed a large cystic lesion in the left temporal lobe with significant mass effect. While initial differential diagnoses included various cystic lesions, the imaging characteristics were most consistent with a hydatid cyst. Surgical management involved a standard craniotomy and the Dowling technique for cyst removal, emphasizing meticulous technique to avoid rupture. The patient recovered well postoperatively with no neurological deficits and was discharged on albendazole therapy. This case underscores the importance of considering hydatid cyst in the differential diagnosis of intracranial cystic lesions, particularly in endemic areas with relevant exposure history.