title: Primary hydatid disease of the spine: an unusual case.
abstract: Hydatid disease or hydatidosis caused by Echinococcus granulosus is the most widespread, serious human cestode infection in the world. Bone involvement is reported in 0.5-4% with spinal involvement reported in 50% of these cases. We report a case of this rare entity of an isolated primary hydatid cyst of the spine in a 15-year-old boy, who presented with progressive back pain for 8 months, lower extremity weakness and urinary incontinence for 3 months. Neurological examination was suggestive of upper motor neuron type of paraperesis grade 1/5 with complete sensory loss below T4 level. MRI of the spine showed multiple cystic extradural lesions at the T4-5 level with involvement of the paraspinal muscles. The patient underwent a T4-5 laminectomy, and a total excision of the multiple epidural and paraspinal cysts. The diagnosis of hydatid disease was confirmed on histopathology. Albendazole was started postoperatively. At 6 months follow-up the boy had no neurological deficit, was playful, active and walking. Postoperative MRI at 6 months showed no recurrence of the lesion. Analysis of the other reported cases is discussed with relevance to our case.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Neeraj
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Awasthy
authors.forename: Karam
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chand
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*