title: Cerebral hydatid cysts in children.
abstract: Twelve children with intracranial cysts of Echinococcus granulosus underwent surgery during a period of 5 years and constituted 19% of all children operated on for intracranial space-occupying lesions. The more common symptoms were raised intracranial pressure (8 cases) and hemiparesis (7 cases). The total number of procedures was 14, with a standard craniotomy approach in 13. In 6 the cysts were removed without puncture or rupture, in 5 puncture and drainage were carried out before removal of capsule, and in 3 the cyst ruptured accidentally. Recurrence of multiple cysts occurred in 1 case and another patient was reoperated on twice for recurrent cysts after an operation in another center. There was no mortality. Non-bacterial meningitis occurred in 2 cases. Although drainage of the cyst contents greatly facilitates removal, it also carries a risk of contamination; thus a traditional approach via a large craniotomy seems to be the safest choice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Salaheldin University Hospital, Tripoli, Libya.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krajewski
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Stelmasiak
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012008:Recurrence; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed