Cerebral hydatid disease CT and MR findings

Giant hydatid cyst of the brain: Intact cyst removal in 8-year-old child

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

Cystic echinococcosis (hydatidosis) in humans is an infectious disease caused by tapeworms of Echinococcus genus. Brain involvement is rare. The best treatment is surgery and intact cyst removal is mandatory to prevent recurrence and possible anaphylactic reaction.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 8-year-old girl presented with a 1-month history of malaise, headache and vomiting. On Physical examinations, she was disoriented with bilateral papilledema. Brain CT scan and MRI revealed a well-defined cystic mass in left temporo-parieto-occipital region with considerable midline shift without perilesional edema. The patient was diagnosed with brain hydatid cyst and underwent surgical excision of the cyst without rupture.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

Surgery is the most important part of intracranial hydatid cyst treatment, and surgeons should make every effort to remove them in toto without spillage. We hence decided to perform surgery and necessary precautions to prevent rupture and dissemination of hydatid were taken during the surgery.

CONCLUSION

A neurosurgeon has to bear in mind brain hydatid cyst in the differential diagnosis of cystic cerebral lesions especially in children from rural areas. The hydrodissection technique is the gold standard for the surgical treatment of cerebral hydatid cyst disease. It can also be effectively applied to the treatment of giant cerebral hydatid cyst disease without rupturing the cyst.

Hydatid Disease: A Pictorial Review of Uncommon Locations

Hydatid disease is a zoonotic infection caused primarily by the tapeworm parasite, Echinococcus granulosus. It is considered an endemic disease in the Mediterranean region.  In about 90% of cases, hydatid cysts are found in the liver and lungs; however, any other organ in the body may be affected, particularly in endemic areas. When encountering cystic lesions in these areas, the physician should always keep hydatid disease as a possible diagnosis in mind. To avoid life-threatening conditions such as anaphylactic shock or pressure effect on vital organs, timely diagnosis, and proper management are critical. When a rare site is involved, hydatid disease should be diagnosed using a combination of serologic assays and imaging modalities such as ultrasonography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). These imaging modalities can also be used to determine the extent of the disease and assess possible complications. Here, we present a pictorial review of typical imaging manifestations of hydatid cysts in unusual sites. Being aware of these imaging features will assist physicians in making an accurate, timely diagnosis and subsequently, providing optimal management.

Hydatid cyst in the third ventricle of the brain: case report of an exceptionally rare condition

Hydatid disease is an endemic zoonotic disease caused by the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus. Intra-ventricular hydatid cysts are extremely rare. Even more rarely, and to the best of our knowledge, only three cases of third ventricle involvement have been reported. Herein, we present the fourth case of an intraventricular hydatid cyst in a pediatric patient located in the third ventricle. It is about a 7-year-old girl, of a rural origin, admitted for intracranial hypertension, deterioration of the general status, and weakness on the right side of her body. A cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the presence of a rounded cystic formation in the third ventricle. The patient was operated through a transfrontal transventricular approach, and the cyst was removed. Postoperative course was uneventful. Hydatid disease should be considered part of the differential diagnosis for cystic lesions of the central nervous system, especially in endemic regions. Total removal of the cysts without rupture is a challenge, but best treatment remains an active nationwide prevention.

A Case Report of Liver and Pancreatic Echinococcal Cysts

A 54-year-old female patient with complaints of abdominal pain for 2 months was admitted to the General Surgery clinic of our tertiary care hospital. Abdominal ultrasound (US) and computed tomography revealed cholelithiasis, liver hydatid cyst, and hypodense multicystic mass lesion in the pancreatic body. In the endoscopic US performed, pancreatic hydatid cysts were considered as the pre-diagnosis. Cystotomy and external drainage were performed on the 8-cm cystic lesion in the pancreas head-class junction. Pancreatic hydatid cyst can be rarely seen isolated or can develop synchronously to liver hydatid cyst, and should be kept in mind in a differential diagnosis. If the perioperative diagnosis is confirmed and in case of the absence of a pancreatic ductal fistula, surgical morbidity and mortality can be reduced by applying cystotomy and external drainage procedures.

Third ventricle hydatid cyst: A rare case report and review of the literature

A primary intraventricular hydatid cyst is a very rare phenomenon, which is mostly located in the lateral ventricle. To the best of our knowledge, only two cases of third ventricle hydatid cyst have been reported. Herein, we present a very rare case of third ventricle hydatid cyst in a four- year-old boy with nausea, vomiting, and progressive drowsiness. Neuroradiological examination revealed a large, spherical, well-defined cystic lesion within the third ventricle. The patient underwent surgery using the anterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach, and the cyst was successfully removed using the Dowling's technique. In this case report, we described the first case of transcallosal removal of a rare third ventricle hydatid cyst, which can be considered in the differential diagnosis of suprasellar arachnoid cysts. Caution must be taken in determining the best surgical approach to prevent unexpected complications.

Cerebral Cystic Echinococcosis

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected helminthic disease and major public health problem in several regions of the world. The zoonosis is caused by the larval stage of different cestode species belonging to the genus Echinococcus. CE can affect any organ with the liver and lungs being most commonly involved. The brain is involved in less than 2% of the cases. We report a case of a CE1 echinococcal cyst of the brain in an Iranian patient.

Clinical review of liver hydatid disease and its unusual presentations in developing countries

Human hydatid cyst disease is an international public health issue that particularly affects the developing countries. In this article, we discuss the epidemiology of hydatid disease in third world countries, the life cycle of echinococcus granulosus and how to make the clinical diagnosis of the disease, including laboratory tests and imaging modalities as well as uncommon presentation of this entity that we have encountered at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC). We emphasize on the new World Health Organization classification of hepatic echinococcosis with examples from our clinical practice at AUBMC, and finally we describe the treatment, including medical and interventional therapies.

Hydatid disease: MR imaging of calvarium and superior sagittal sinus involvement

Extra-axial hydatid disease (HD) is rare and may create a diagnostic challenge. Herein, we report an extremely rare case of calvarial HD with superior sagittal sinus invasion and an extension to the scalp with unusual magnetic resonance imaging findings simulating osteomyelitis and abscess. Recognition of detached endocystic membranes was the most important clue for the correct diagnosis. HD should be included in the differential diagnosis for a patient having a destructive skull lesion with peripheral enhancing extra-axial soft tissue component. Preoperative correct imaging diagnosis is crucial to improving patient management.

[Cerebral hydatid cysts in children: about 15 cases]

L’objectif de notre étude est d’illustrer l’intérêt de l’imagerie en coupe (TDM, IRM) dans le diagnostic positif et le suivi post-thérapeutique du kyste hydatique cérébral chez l’enfant et de mettre en lumière les particularités et les difficultés rencontrées dans la prise en charge de la localisation cérébrale de cette affection, par notre expérience basée sur 15 cas de kyste hydatique cérébral de l’enfant. Il s’agit d’une étude rétrospective de 15 cas d’hydatidose cérébrale de l’enfant colligés sur une période de 10 ans. La TDM cérébrale en coupes axiales de 5 mm d’épaisseur sans et avec injection de produit de contraste a été réalisée chez 15 patients. L’IRM encéphalique a été réalisée en séquences pondérées en T1 et en T2 chez un patient dans les trois plans de l’espace sans injection de Gadolinium. L’âge moyen de nos patients était de 9 ans. La symptomatologie clinique était dominée par le syndrome d’hypertension intracrânienne. Le kyste hydatique était solitaire et se situait au niveau de l’étage sus-tentoriel avec un important effet de masse sur le système ventriculaire et la ligne médiane dans la majorité des cas. Tous nos patients ont été opérés et l’évolution était favorable dans tous les cas. La TDM représente l’examen de choix pour le diagnostic et le suivi postopératoire du kyste hydatique cérébral. L’IRM trouve son intérêt essentiellement dans le diagnostic des formes multiples et des formes atypiques permettant une planification thérapeutique plus adaptée.

Our study aimed to highlight the role of cross sectional imaging techniques (CT, MRI) in positive diagnosis and post-therapeutic follow-up of cerebral hydatid cysts in children as well as to describe the peculiarities and the difficulties encountered in the management of these cysts based on our experience about 15 cases. We conducted a retrospective study of 15 cases of cerebral hydatidosis in children whose data were collected over a period of 10 years. CT scan of the brain with 5 mm slice thickness without and with injection of contrast product was performed in 15 patients. One patient underwent brain MRI creating either T1-weighted or T2-weighted images in all three planes without Gadolinium injection. The average age of patients was 9 years. Clinical symptoms were dominated by intracranial hypertension syndrome. Hydatid cyst was solitary and was located in the supratentorial level with an important mass effect on the ventricular system and the median line in most cases. All patients underwent surgery and patients’ evolution was favorable in all cases. CT scan is the test of choice for the diagnosis and the postoperative follow-up of patients with cerebral hydatid cysts. MRI is used essentially in the diagnosis of multiple and atypical type of cerebral hydatid cysts, enabling the design of more effective treatment strategy.

Efficacy of radiotherapy for the treatment of cystic echinococcosis in naturally infected sheep

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy is commonly used to treat cancers. To date, there has been no study focusing on the effects of radiotherapy on hydatid disease in large animals. In this study, we aim to investigate the efficiency and safety of radiotherapy for treating hydatid disease caused by Echinococcus granulosus in naturally infected sheep.

METHODS

Ultrasound was used to screen naturally infected sheep in an echinococcosis endemic area in Xinjiang, China. A computer tomography (CT) scan confirmed the presence of hydatid cysts. Twenty sheep naturally infected with E. granulosus in the liver and/or lungs were randomly assigned into four groups receiving no irradiation, or X-ray irradiation of low (30 Gy), medium (45 Gy), and high dose (60 Gy), respectively. After three months of radiotherapy, a CT scan was performed to measure the changes in the cysts. The hepatic parasite cysts and host tissues were collected for histology and gene expression analysis.

RESULTS

In the animals subject to irradiation, no significant differences were observed in their appetite, daily activities, and weight before and after radiotherapy. Severe calcification was noticed in the cysts subject to a high dose of radiation compared with the groups subject to low and medium doses. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed that irradiation contributed to the damage of the cyst structure and nucleus in the germinal layers. Quantitative PCR demonstrated that expression of TPX and HSP70 significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The expression of the EPC1 decreased in the medium- and high-dose groups compared with the low-dose group (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of radiation-related apoptosis genes caspase-3 and Gadd45 decreased with an increase in the irradiation dose.

CONCLUSIONS

Radiotherapy is an option with satisfactory efficiency and safety for treating cystic echinococcosis in sheep with partial response or stable disease at month 3. In future, inhibition of cystic activity using radiotherapy may serve as a new regimen for treating hydatid disease.

Primary cerebral echinoccocosis in a child: Case report - Surgical technique, technical pitfalls, and video atlas

BACKGROUND

Hydatid disease is a life-threatening parasitic infestation caused by Echinococcus granulosus. Infection with E. granulosus typically results in the formation of hydatid cysts in the liver, lungs, kidney, and spleen. Primary intracranial hydatid cyst disease is extremely rare. Here, we are reporting an unusual case of Echinococcus, where the only identifiable lesion was a hydatid cyst in the brain without liver or lung involvement. We are also providing a description for the surgical technique used to remove the cyst, highlighting the possible surgical pitfalls.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The patient is a 13-year-old male with a history of progressive headache for 1 month. Intracranial hydatid cyst was suspected based on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings. The cyst was delivered without rupture using hydrostatic dissection (Dowling's technique), and pathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis. Postoperatively, the patient showed marked neurological improvement and all signs and symptoms resolved.

CONCLUSION

Intracranial hydatid cyst is very rare. Nevertheless, it should always be considered as a differential diagnosis in cerebral cystic lesions, especially in children. The surgical technique used to remove the cyst appears to be safe. However, several precautions must be applied intraoperatively to avoid the catastrophe of cyst rupture.

Evaluation of the Metabolic Activity of Echinococcus multilocularis in Rodents Using Positron Emission Tomography Tracers

PURPOSE

2-Deoxy-2-[(18)F]fluoro-D-glucose ([(18)F]FDG) has been used as a standard clinical positron emission tomography (PET) tracer for the follow-up of the rare but life-threatening parasitic disease alveolar echinococcosis (AE). Given that the disease is endemic in many countries in the northern hemisphere and the diagnosis is still challenging, the aim of our study was to evaluate further clinically relevant PET tracers as possible diagnostic tools for AE in vitro and in vivo.

PROCEDURES

Various clinically used PET tracers were evaluated in vitro and assessed in an in vivo AE animal model based on PET/magnetic resonance (MR) measurements.

RESULTS

In vitro binding assays displayed high uptake of [(18)F]FDG in a cell suspension of E. multilocularis tissue, whereas 3'-deoxy-3'-[(18)F]fluorothymidine ([(18)F]FLT) and [(11)C]choline were found to be taken up strongly by E. multilocularis vesicles. [(18)F]FDG and [(18)F]FLT displayed an elevated uptake in vivo, which appeared as several foci throughout the parasite tissue as opposed to [(18)F]fluoro-azomycinarabinofuranoside ([(18)F]FAZA) and [(11)C]choline.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data clearly demonstrate that the clinically applied PET tracer [(18)F]FDG is useful for the diagnosis and disease staging of AE but also has drawbacks in the assessment of currently inactive or metabolically weak parasitic lesions. The different tested PET tracers do not show the potential for the replacement or supplementation of current diagnostic strategies. Hence, there is still the need for novel diagnostic tools.

Swollen eyelid reveals multiple intracranial hydatid cysts associated with a palpebral cyst

We report a case of a hydatid cyst of the eyelid in a 12-year-old boy associated with cerebral involvement. The patient was initially treated by neurosurgeons for brain cysts. The course after an interval of two months was marked by regression of the palpebral cyst on albendazole.

Hydatid disease located in the cerebellomedullary cistern

Hydatid disease is an endemic zoonotic disease in many areas of the world. Liver, followed by lung, is the most commonly affected organ and involvement of other organs is rare. When brain is involved, lesions are typically supratentorial, and infratentorial localisation is even rarer. We present a 45-year-old woman with hydatid disease located in premedullary location compressing the brain stem, an exceedingly rare location for cerebral echinococcosis. Relevant literature regarding typical properties of cerebral disease was reviewed.

Intracranial hydatid cyst is a rare cause of midbrain herniation: A case report and literature review

Hydatid disease is a parasitic infection affecting the brain in about 2% of the cases. Brain involvement is most commonly observed in children. Here, we report a 13-year-old male patient who presented with headache, nausea, and vomiting. Before cranial computed tomography (CT) was performed, the patient had generalized epileptic seizures. He was disoriented, and had anisocoria with dilatation of the right pupilla. CT showed a cystic lesion of 10-cm diameter in the right temporoparietal region that had caused a shift of the midline structures to the contralateral side; an urgent operation was performed as there were signs of midbrain herniation.

Rickettsiae, protozoa, and opisthokonta/metazoa

Rhizobiales (formerly named Rickettsiales) cause in rare instances meningitis and meningovasculitis, respectively. In case of history of exposure, infection by Rhizobiales needs to be considered since both diagnosis and therapy may be extremely difficult and pathogen-specific. The same applies to protozoa; in this chapter, Babesia species, free-living amoebae and Entamoeba histolytica infection, including severe meningitis and brain abscess, infection by Trypanosoma species (South American and African trypanosomiasis) are discussed with respect to history, epidemiology, clinical signs, and symptoms as well as differential diagnosis and therapy. Parasitic flatworms and roundworms, potentially able to invade the central nervous system, trematodes (flukes), cestodes (in particular, Cysticercus cellulosae), but also nematodes (in particular, Strongyloides spp. in the immunocompromised) are of worldwide importance. In contrast, filarial worms, Toxocara spp., Trichinella spp., Gnathostoma and Angiostrongylus spp. are seen only in certain geographically confined areas. Even more regionally confined are infestations of the central nervous system by metazoa, in particular, tongue worms (=arthropods) or larvae of flies (=maggots). The aim of this chapter is (1) to alert the neurologist to these infections, and (2) to enable the attending emergency neurologist to take a knowledgeable history, with an emphasis on epidemiology, clinical signs, and symptoms as well as therapeutic management possibilities.

Varied types of intracranial hydatid cysts: radiological features and management techniques

BACKGROUND

Even when radiological images are considered pathognomic for intracranial hydatid cysts, subtle image characteristics are evident depending upon the status/types of hydatid cysts. These imaging features, if finely scrutinized, may help to modify conventional surgical techniques of cyst excision.

METHODS

From January 2006 to December 2011, nine patients (male:female 7:2, age range 4-44 years, median 7 years) harbouring intracranial hydatid cysts were managed at our centre. In addition to CT scans, all patients underwent plain and contrast-enhanced MRI scans. Based on these radiological findings, the types of hydatid cysts were characterized into simple or complicated (infected) cysts. Complicated cysts were further differentiated into ruptured or intact subtypes based on imaging features. Surgical procedures including the Dowling water dissection technique, in addition to head rotation, were performed for removing these cysts intact.

RESULTS

Children (n = 4) aged 6 years or less presented with increasing head size as the only complaint, while the rest of the patients (n = 5) had symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. MRI features of hypo-intensity on T1-weighted images, hyper-intensity on T2-weighted images, and non-contrast-enhancing cysts were noted for all simple cysts (n = 7), while iso- to mixed intensity on T1-weighted images and hyper-intensity on T2-weighted images with contrast-enhancing pericyst correctly diagnosed all complicated (infected) hydatid cysts (n = 2). One of these complicated cysts had spilled the infected contents outside the cyst wall, but within the confines of the cerebral parenchyma (pericyst). Such a case of contained spontaneously ruptured complicated hydatid cyst is described for the first time. At a median follow-up of 18 months, all patients remain free from cyst recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Subtle changes in radiological features of CNS hydatid cysts should be appreciated so as to diagnose the type of cyst correctly. The surgical strategy should be tailored according to the type of cyst for favourable outcome.

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.

Multidetector-row computed tomography in cerebral hydatid cyst

Intracranial localization is a rare manifestation of hydatid cyst disease (Echinococcosis). It comprises only 2% of cases of Echinococcosis infection even in endemic areas and is predominantly seen in children. Clinical manifestations resulting from raised intracranial tension are nonspecific. Imaging with computed tomography (CT) may suggest the diagnosis preoperatively with reasonable accuracy. Multidetector-row CT (MDCT) with its high resolution multiplanar reformations can demonstrate the relationship of the cyst with adjacent brain structures and thus help in planning surgery. This has a practical utility in places where magnetic resonance imaging is not available. We describe a case of cerebral hydatid cyst in a 13-year-old boy who was diagnosed with MDCT, which helped in planning its surgical removal.

Alveolar hydatid cyst mimicking cerebellar metastatic tumor

Background:

Echinococcus multilocularis is a rare infestation in the world with a particularly increased incidence mainly in South America, Central Europe and Asia. Progression of alveolar Echinococcosis is more aggressive that can metastasize to lungs, brain and bones however brain involvement is usually rare with an incidence about 1%.

Case Description:

We report a 23-year-old man with a cerebellar Echinococcosis multilocularis mimicking a metastatic cerebellar tumor. Suboccipital craniotomy was performed for gross total removal of the tumor. Histopathological specimens confirmed the diagnosis of Echinococcosis multilocularis.

Conclusion:

Radical surgical excision should be recommended for single Echinococcosis multilocularis lesions particularly at infratentorial localization.

[Intracranial hydatid cysts in children: a report of 9 cases]

PURPOSE

To illustrate the value of cross-sectional imaging (CT, MRI) for the diagnosis and follow-up of intracranial hydatid cysts in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of 9 cases of intracranial hydatid cysts in children seen over a period of 8 years. Precontrast and postcontrast 5 mm thick axial CT images were obtained in 7 cases. Noncontrast sagittal, axial and coronal T1W and T2W images were obtained in 2 cases.

RESULTS

Mean patient age was 7.5 years. Intracranial hypertension was the main presenting clinical symptom. A single supratentorial cyst with significant mass effect upon the ventricular system and midline structures was observed in all cases. All patients underwent surgery with good outcome in all cases.

CONCLUSION

CT is the imaging modality of choice for diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of intracranial hydatid cysts in children. MRI is most helpful for further characterization when multiple or atypical cysts are present to optimize management.

Primary soliter and multiple intracranial cyst hydatid disease: report of five cases

Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by infestation of various body tissues by the encysted larvae of Echinococcosis granulosa, the tapeworm. The disease because of the inefficiency of environmental health and protective care and dealing with animals is prevalent in South America, Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East. Cerebral hydatid cysts are rare and comprise only 0.5-3% of all reported hydatid cysts. Brain involvement is seen rare and primary form is very rare. We report five cases of primary hydatid disease of the brain. In three cases (60%), brain involvement was solitary, while two cases (40%) had primary multiple intracranial hydatid cysts. This study confirms that hydatid disease is a difficult health problem in Turkey.

Alveolar echinococcosis of the brain in five patients

Cerebral alveolar echinococcis is a biologically aggressive infestation that mimics a malignant neoplasm radiologically and macroscopically. This paper describes the clinical and radiological aspects of the disease, with new diagnostic studies, and discusses the surgical treatment of this infestation. The records of five patients with cerebral alveolar echinococcis treated at our center between 2000 and 2004 were reviewed. Three patients underwent radical surgical treatment and received antihelminthic therapy post-operatively, two of whom experienced asymptomatic recurrence. Two patients with multiple lesions were treated with antihelminthic therapy alone. The prognosis was poor for these patients. Radical surgery combined with antihelminthic therapy of sufficient duration are mandatory to prevent the progression of symptoms but the disease continues to be difficult to cure.

[Cerebral hydatid disease: imaging features]

Cerebral hytatid cysts (HC) are extremely rare, forming 2% of all intra cranial space occupying lesions even in counties where the disease is endemic. HC diagnosis is usually based on a pathognomonic computed tomography (CT) pattern. In order to assess the value of MR we reviewed the CT (n=25) and magnetic resonance (MR, n=4 including diffusion and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 1) imaging of 25 patients with pathologically confirmed cerebral hydatid disease. 19 HC were seen in children under 16 years. All were supra tentorial with 22 in the middle cerebral artery territory. HC was solitary in 18 cases, unilocular in 23 and multi-vesicular in 2 with heavily calcified pericyst in 1. 2 cysts were intra ventricular and 1 intra aqueducal. The most typical features were well defined, smooth thin walled spherical or oval cystic lesions of CSF density and/or signal with considerable mass effect (20/25). Surrounding oedema with complete or incomplete rim enhancement was seen in 3 cases which were labelled as complicated and/or infected cysts. Although CT is diagnostic of hydatid disease in almost all cases (22/25), MRI including diffusion and spectroscopy precisely demonstrate location, number, cyst capsule, type of signal and enhancement and allows diagnosis of atypical or complicated HC and appears more helpful in surgical planning.

Relative frequency, clinical, neuroimaging, and postsurgical features of pediatric temporal lobe epilepsy

We describe the relative frequency, clinical features, neuroimaging and pathological results, and outcome after pharmacological or surgical intervention for a series of pediatric patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) from an epilepsy center in Brazil. The medical records of children younger than 12 years with features strongly suggestive of TLE were reviewed from January 1999 to June 1999. Selected children were evaluated regarding clinical, EEG, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigation and divided into three groups according to MRI: group 1 (G1, N = 9), patients with hippocampal atrophy; group 2 (G2, N = 10), patients with normal MRI, and group 3 (G3, N = 12), patients with other specific temporal lesions. A review of 1732 records of children with epilepsy revealed 31 cases with TLE (relative frequency of 1.79%). However, when the investigation was narrowed to cases with intractable seizures that needed video-EEG monitoring (N = 68) or epilepsy surgery (N = 32), the relative frequency of TLE increased to 19.11 (13/68) and 31.25% (10/32), respectively. At the beginning of the study, 25 of 31 patients had a high seizure frequency (80.6%), which declined to 11 of 31 (35.5%) at the conclusion of the study, as a consequence of pharmacological and/or surgical therapy. This improvement in seizure control was significant in G1 (P < 0.05) and G3 (P < 0.01) mainly due to good postsurgical outcome, and was not significant in G2 (P > 0.1, McNemar's test). These results indicate that the relative frequency of TLE in children was low, but increased considerably among cases with pharmacoresistant seizures. Patients with specific lesions were likely to undergo surgery, with good postoperative outcomes.

[Cerebral hydatid cysts in children: 4 cases]

The cerebral localization of the hydatid disease is rare, under 2%, and it primarily affects children. We report 4 cases of children presenting with a cerebral hydatid cyst (2 boys and 2 girls, mean age 9 years). Clinical symptoms were very progressive, the disease was frequently diagnosed several months (1-12 months) after onset of symptoms most often headaches and vomiting. One patient presented with a right tonic-clonic seizure 3 days before hospitalization. The diagnostic was confirmed in all cases by Cerebral CT scan. All the patients were screened for other localizations. One patient also presented with pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. Hydatid blood tests were positive in only one case. The treatment was surgical for all the patients (using hydropulsion) without complications in 2 cases. One child presented with meningitis, and the other child with signs of secondary ICHT related to residual mass which required its puncture.

Molecular Confirmation of a Case of Multiorgan Cystic Echinococcosis

We report on the results of radical surgery performed on a 10-yr-old Chinese female with multiple echinococcosis lesions and the diagnosis of the infection by imaging, histology, serology, and DNA analysis. Molecular genotyping provided unequivocal proof that the patient was infected with Echinococcus granulosus, the cause of cystic echinococcosis.

Brain metastasis of alveolar echinococcosis in a hyperendemic focus of Echinococcus multilocularis infection

An unusual female case, with alveolar echinococcosis (AE) disseminated from the primary hepatic lesion to the brain by metastasis formation, was retrospectively identified during a community survey in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China in 2003. Among possible metastases of hepatic AE, locations to the brain are rare and usually fatal; and they have especially been assigned to concomitant immune suppression. An enhancing role of pregnancy, which may be suspected in this case, the favourable outcome after surgery and chemotherapy, and also a mental disability in a child following long-term intrauterine exposure to mebendazole, make the report particularly unique.

Neuroparasitic infections: cestodes, trematodes, and protozoans

Parasitic infection of the nervous system can produce a variety of symptoms and signs. Because symptoms of infection are often mild or nonspecific, diagnosis can be difficult. Familiarity with basic epidemiological characteristics and distinguishing radiographic findings can increase the likelihood of detection and proper treatment of parasitic infection of the nervous system. This article discusses the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment for some of the more common infections of the nervous system caused by cestodes, trematodes and protozoans: Echinococcus spp., Spirometra spp. (sparganosis), Paragonimus spp., Schistosoma spp., Trypanosoma spp., Naegleria fowlerii, Acanthamoeba histolytica, and Balamuthia mandrillaris.

Granulomatous diseases of the central nervous system

Infectious diseases of the central nervous system (CNS), particularly those accompanied by the formation of granulomas, are a constant diagnostic challenge in some specific regions of the world, above all in developing countries. The pattern of image seen on CT or MR scan is the result of the inter-relations between the individual characteristics of the infectious agent and the capacity of each host to mount an appropriate inflammatory response to that specific type of aggression, inside one particular compartment of the CNS. Taking these parameters into account we will discuss the several patterns of image found in parasitic, bacterial, and fungal granulomatous infections.

Neurologic aspects of infections in international travelers

BACKGROUND

As international travel for business and pleasure becomes part of contemporary lifestyle, the clinician today is confronted with an increasing number of travelers returning ill with unfamiliar syndromes. The physician will encounter a myriad of patients with exotic infections, emerging infectious diseases, or resurgent Old-World infections.

REVIEW SUMMARY

This review article will discuss salient points of important infectious diseases associated with overseas travel, provide a syndromic approach to the traveler who returns with neurologic manifestations, and list resources for additional diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive information.

CONCLUSIONS

As many of infections acquired in other countries can directly or indirectly affect the nervous system, the care of the ill traveler often falls into the hands of neurologists. The contemporary neurologist should therefore be knowledgeable of the clinical manifestations, potential complications, and appropriate management of region-specific infections.

Epidemiology, clinical manifestations and diagnosis of zoonotic cestode infections: an update

This paper reviews the literature on zoonotic cestode infections with specific reference to the years 1999-2003. The sources and prevalence of various zoonotic tapeworm infections caused by adult and larval stages of the genera Taenia, Echinococcus, Diphyllobothrium, Hymenolepis and Dipylidium continue to be an important cause of morbidity and mortality, not only in most underdeveloped countries but also in industrialized countries, particularly in rural areas or among immigrant groups from endemic areas. The review gives a detailed report on recent molecular epidemiological studies on the taxonomy and phylogenetic variations in Echinococcus granulosus, immunological tests and imaging techniques used in epidemiological surveys and clinical investigations of important adult and larval tapeworm infections of animals and humans. Larval stages or metacestodes of Taenia solium, Echinococcus spp. and pseudophyllidean tapeworms (Spirometra syn. Diphyllobothrium spp.) may reside in various tissues of their intermediate hosts, including humans. In particular, Cysticercus cellulosae (T. solium) and the larvae of E. granulosus, and E. multilocularis, which are predominantly located in the liver, lungs and central nervous system forming various types of cysts, lead to a complex of systemic diseases such as cysticercosis, cystic echinococcosis and alveolar echinococcosis, respectively. Relatively rare clinical manifestations are seen in the muscles, subcutaneous tissue, spleen, kidneys, bones and body cavities.