Magnetic resonance imaging in intradural and extradural spinal echinococcosis

The potential of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of spinal hydatidosis has not yet been fully explored. Only a few sporadic case reports have demonstrated interesting capabilities for detection of cystic echinococcal lesions in and around the spine, but to our knowledge none has described the MRI findings in intradural hydatid cysts. We present two cases of hydatid disease of the spine with extradural and intradural involvement illustrating the value of MRI in the preoperative evaluation, operative planning, and immediate postsurgical results.