Central Nervous System Hydatid Disease

Abstract

Objectives: Hydatid diseases are both a medical and an economic problem in Iran, especially in the rural areas. The aim of this study was to analyze brain involvement in this disease, the related problems, the causes, and its diagnostic and therapeutic aspects. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 99 patients with cerebral hydatid disease treated between 1977 and 2013 in Qaem hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical presentations, radiologic examinations, treatment modalities, and outcomes of the patients were analyzed. Results: Ninety-nine patients with hydatid disease of neuraxis underwent 149 operations. Of the 99 patients, 68 cases had primary cerebral hydatid cysts, 18 cases had unusual hydatid cysts of neuraxis (orbit: 3; spinal cord: 3; cerebellum: 3; cranial epidural: 1; bilateral hemispheric: 8), and 13 cases had >1 operations because of having multiple cysts. All patients were treated surgically. Complications related to surgery were observed in 4 patients. There were no recurrences or residual cysts among the patients. Conclusions: Hydatid disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial space-occupying lesions in developing countries where there are still lots of rural areas and the quality of life is not good. Early diagnosis of cerebral hydatid cysts may prevent serious life-threatening complications of this disease. Outcome is favorable when the cyst is completely removed without rupture.