Epilepsy: Unusual presentation of cerebral hydatid disease in children

Abstract

Cerebral hydatid disease is very rare, representing only 2% of all cerebral space occupying lesions even in the countries where the disease is endemic. Intracranial hydatid cysts are more common in children and occur more frequently in the supratentorial space. The aim of this paper is to describe the characteristic features of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to determine the clinical presentation and surgical outcome of cerebral hydatid disease. Medical chart and records were reviewed retrospectively to determine demographic data, clinical findings, morphological assessment, surgical approaches and outcomes. A 7-year-old girl was admitted to the emergency department because of an epileptic attack. On radiological examination, a round, cystic lesion appeared in the parietal lobe and caused shift of the midline structures. The cyst was successfully removed using the Dowling technique. The postoperative period was uneventful and seizures were not seen during follow-up. Hydatid cyst of the brain presents clinically as intracranial space occupying lesion and is more common in children, it is well demonstrated by CT and MR examinations and surgery is the treatment option with affordable morbidity and low mortality.