title: Giant hydatid cyst in the posterior fossa of a child: a case report.
abstract: A 10-year-old boy was admitted with a 4-month history of ataxic gait, headache, vomiting and diplopia. The headaches had worsened in month 4 and were associated with vomiting during head movement. Cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a hydatid cyst located in the posterior fossa. The patient underwent suboccipital craniotomy and a cerebellar hydatid cyst (approximately 5 cm in diameter) was removed using Dowling's technique. The diagnosis was confirmed during surgery and by histological examination of a tissue sample from the cyst. The patient was treated with the antihelmintic agent albendazole in combination with antibiotics. The post-operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged after 1 week. In conclusion, when a cystic lesion is detected on CT or MRI scans, hydatid disease should be taken into consideration in countries where hydatid infestation is endemic.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School, Aziziye Research Hospital, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey. crefik@atauni.edu.tr
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Kayaoglu
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003388:Cranial Fossa, Posterior / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003399:Craniotomy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015766:Albendazole