Camalote sign in intraventricular hydatid cyst: A rare presentation of uncommon disease

Background:

Hydatid cyst is a common zoonotic condition in endemic areas. Intraventricular hydatid cyst is a rare entity with less than 50 cases published in literature. Floating water lily sign (also called Camalote sign) is very rare in intracranial hydatid cysts. Only a single case report of this sign exists in literature in intraventricular hydatidosis suggesting rupture of hydatid cyst leading to CSF dissemination and frequent poor outcome.

Case Description:

This case report describes the successful management of a 5-year-old child who presented with signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure due to large intraventricular hydatid cyst in the right frontal horn, and magnetic resonanace imaging of the brain showed hydatid cyst with typical camalote sign.

Conclusion:

Although very rare, the presence of camalote sign in intraventricular cysts is very categorical in establishing preoperative diagnosis of hydatid cyst, especially in endemic areas.

Rupture of Intraventricular Hydatid Cyst: Camalote Sign

Only a few cases of intraventricular hydatid cysts have been described. The camalote or water lily sign is described when there is detachment of the endocyst membrane, resulting in a floating appearance like a water lily. This sign has been described most commonly in hepatic cysts. Here, we describe the camalote sign in an iatrogenically ruptured intraventricular hydatid cyst. Rupture of an intraventricular hydatid cyst poses the threat of widespread dissemination and is described in our case.