Spinal Hydatid Cyst: Review

Abstract

yda tid cyst in fec ti on is one of the ol dest di se a ses known in the history of hu ma nity.1 Hyda tid cyst is a di se a se ca u sed by the lar val Echi no coc cus gra nu lo sus ta pe worm [2][3][4][5] and is se en in re gi ons whe re pa ra si tic in fes ta ti ons are en de mic. 4,6 Ani mals are ma in cul prits in the spre ad It is a disease caused by the larval Echinococcus granulosus tapeworm and is seen in regions where parasitic infestations are endemic. Spinal hydatid disease is an infestation characterized by multivesicular diffuse infiltration of the cancellous bone, including corpus vertebrae, pedicles, and the lamina. This is a rare condition leading to severe neurological problems. In the spinal area, the most commonly involved part is the thoracic region. Diagnosis is difficult and frequently delayed until signs and symptoms of spinal cord and nerve compression develop. There are no characteristic signs and symptoms. Most common signs are low back pain, radicular pain, paraparesis or paraplegia, sensation disorders, and bladder/intestine dysfunction. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the most sensitive diagnostic method. In the treatment of spinal hydatid cyst, surgery is still accepted as the "gold standard". Antihelmintic agents and benzimidazole derivatives can also be combined with surgical treatment, particularly for preventing recurrences. After review of the related literature, it is emphasized that physicians should be careful in the differential diagnosis of patients applying with spinal pain, radicular pain, progressive myelopathy or spinal cord compression syndrome. Because of high mortality and morbidity; importance of early diagnosis and treatment is highlighted along with emphasizing eradication of disease.

Primary cervical hydatid cyst: a rare occurrence

“…Dogs, wolves and foxes are the definitive host. Intermediate hosts are herbivores like sheep, cattle, horses and rarely human [3]. Humans are occasionally accidently infected by oral ingestion of tapeworm eggs with contaminated food or water or direct contact with host [4].…”

Spinal Hydatid Cyst Disease : Challenging Surgery - an Institutional Experience

“…There are only a few articles in the literature worldwide ( Table 2 ). Though mostly thoracic vertebral involvement is observed, cervical, lumbar, and sacral hydatid cysts can also occur [ 2 , 7 , 34 - 36 ]. Odontoid process involvement is extremely rare [ 6 ].…”

Primary Multilocular Hydatid Cyst of Neck with Unique Presentation: A Rare Case Report and Literature Review

“…Different serological investigations for HC include ELISA, latex agglutination, direct hemagglutination, skin test (Casoni's test). Although serology is highly sensitive (80-100 %) and specific (88-96 %) for liver HC, it is less sensitive for lung (50-56 %) or other organ (25-56 %) involvement [9,10]. However these tests are more valuable in the follow-up of treated patients.…”