title: Spinal hydatid disease, a rare but existent pathological entity: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Spinal hydatid disease is a not uncommon cause of spinal cord compression in endemic countries; however, involvement of the epidural space with sparing of the vertebral column is rare. Early diagnosis and surgical decompression with total removal of the hydatid lesion, when possible, is generally considered the standard of care for this disease. The authors describe a case of massive epidural hydatid disease without involvement of the vertebral column in a 62-year-old male patient, treated with a 2-stage surgical operation and administration of systemic albendazole. The literature is reviewed regarding the clinical features, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of spinal echinococcosis.
authors.affiliation: First Orthopaedic Department of Athens University School of Medicine, Greece.
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sapkas
authors.forename: Theofilos G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Machinis
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chloros
authors.forename: Kostas N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Fountas
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Themistocleous
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vrettakos
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole