Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of hydatid disease: A pictorial review of uncommon imaging presentations

Abstract

Hydatid disease (HD), also known as echinococcal disease or echinococcosis, is a worldwide zoonosis with a wide geographic distribution. It can be found in almost all parts of the body and usually remains silent for a long period of time. Clinical history can be varied based on the location, size, host immune response, and complications.The most common imaging modalities used for diagnosis and further evaluations of HD are ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Although conventional radiography may be the first used tool, rarely can lead to a definite judgment. Clinical indications and cyst location may alter the choice of imaging. MRI and CT would be useful when the involved area is inaccessible for ultrasound or surgical treatment is required. CT is particularly valuable for osseous organ involvements and the presence of calcifications in the cyst and also demonstrates the size, number, and local complications. MRI can differentiate HD from neoplasms in cases with an unusual appearance on imaging. Moreover, it is preferable in biliary or neural involvements. Besides, more detailed images of MRI and CT could help to resolve the diagnostic uncertainty.Imaging is the main stem for HD diagnosis. Brain, orbit, muscle, bone, and vascular structures are less commonly involved areas. Familiarity with typical clinical presentation, CT scan and MR imaging findings of HD in this sites facilitate the radiologic diagnosis and guiding appropriate treatment.

Hydatid Disease: A Radiological Pictorial Review of a Great Neoplasms Mimicker

“…They present with CSF density on CT or signal intensity on an MRI, and usually with no surrounding edema or wall calcification. Hypointense rims on T2Wis are characteristic [ 39 ]. On T2Wis of MRIs, the presence of a low signal intensity rim around the cyst is characteristic [ 40 ].…”

“…On T2Wis of MRIs, the presence of a low signal intensity rim around the cyst is characteristic [ 40 ]. Brain hydatid cysts can mimic cystic lesions, such as arachnoid cysts, porencephalic cysts, pyogenic abscesses, neurocysticercosis, and cystic tumors of the brain, and should be a differential diagnosis [ 39 , 41 ]. They can mimic cystic gliomas and difficult to differentiate from granulomas [ 42 ].…”

Case Report: Imaging-Guided Percutaneous Catheterization and Microwave Ablation of a Bone Hydatid Cyst with Soft-Tissue Component

“…In general, the most common CT appearance of bone hydatid disease is a lytic lesion with cortical thinning. 19,20 The periosteal reaction is rare. Bone lesions do not necessarily need to contain daughter vesicles to be considered viable.…”

Compresión medular por quiste hidático de partes blandas Reporte de un caso

“…De la revisión efectuada se verifica que el diagnóstico preoperatorio pocas veces es realizado y solo la sospecha clínica del cirujano ante una tumoración de partes blandas suele revertir dicha situación. La ecografía de partes blandas es un estudio con alto rendimiento, a solicitar en primera instancia frente a una tumoración, pero la mayoría de las veces no será concluyente (7) .…”

“…Actualmente los procedimientos imagenológicos como la TC y IRM permiten confirmar la etiología hidatídica con alta sensibilidad, diferenciándose de otras lesiones quísticas no parasitarias (7) . El hallazgo más característico es un quiste multivesicular, con membrana desprendida, y en la resonancia los bordes característicamente son de baja señal en la secuencia potenciada en T2 (7,8) .…”