Cranial epidural hydatid cysts: clinical report and review of the literature

Transverse sinus obstruction caused by extradural supra-infratentorial hydatid cyst: A case report and literature review

Approximately 1-3% of cases of hydatid disease involve the central nervous system (CNS). This study aims to report an extremely rare case of supra-infratentorially located epidural hydatid cyst with transverse venous sinus obstruction which presented with chronic cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT) signs and symptoms.

Labial hydatid cyst - A rare entity

Hydatid cyst is a parasitic infestation by tapeworm Echinococcus. This endemic disease is prevalent in the Middle East and Southeast Asian populations. This zoonotic disease is mainly transmitted by cattle and dogs. Few studies have been reported in the head-and-neck region. There are very few isolated cases have been reported within the oral cavity region. No case until now has been isolated from the labial mucosa. We now present one such case here.

Primary cervical hydatid cyst: a rare occurrence

Hydatid disease, a parasitic infection is caused by Echinococcus granulosus. It has serious impact on health and economy especially in countries where it is endemic. It occurs frequently in liver and lung. The disease is chronic and cyst can localize in different organs. A hydatid cyst occurrence in the head and neck is extremely rare. To know the distribution of disease can help in its control and prevention. We report a case of primary cervical hydatid cyst in 20 year old female. A high index of suspicion is required to diagnose hydatid cyst in rare locations like this. Hydatid cyst should be considered in differential diagnosis of benign swellings of head and neck region, so that it can be managed during surgery to prevent acute anaphylaxis.

Parasitic diseases of the central nervous system

This article reviews the characteristic imaging appearances of parasitic diseases of the central nervous system, including cysticercosis, toxoplasmosis, cystic echinococcosis, schistosomiasis, amebiasis, malariasis, sparganosis, paragonimiasis, and American and African trypanosomiases. Routine precontrast and postcontrast MR imaging helps in localization, characterization, delineation of extension, and follow-up of the parasitic lesions. Moreover, recently developed tools, such as diffusion, perfusion, and MR spectroscopy, help to differentiate parasitic diseases of the central nervous system from simulating lesions. Combining imaging findings with geographic prevalence, clinical history, and serologic tests is required for diagnosis of parasitic diseases of the central nervous system.

[Posterior fossa extradural and extracranial hydatid cyst]

Hydatidosis is an endemic disease in Morocco. Cerebral echinococcosis is a relatively rare entity accounting for only 1-2% of all hydatid cysts in humans. Extradural hydatid cyst of the posterior fossa is a very uncommon site for the disease: only four cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 37-year-old admitted for high intracranial pressure. Brain MRI showed an extradural and extracranial posterior fossa cyst without enhancement after contrast medium injection. Multiple hydatid cysts were removed and the histological examination of the tissue sample confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was given albendazole postoperatively with good follow-up 6 months later.