Spinal hydatid cyst mimicking arachnoid cyst on magnetic resonance imaging.
BACKGROUND
Primary spinal hydatid cysts are uncommon and account for 1% of all cases of hydatid disease. Echinococcus granulosus is most often responsible for the cyst hydatid. Intradural, extramedullary involvement is rare. When the cysts do not demonstrate typical magnetic resonance imaging findings, the differential diagnosis is more complex.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
An isolated primary hydatid cyst of the spine in a 35-year-old man that appeared to be an arachnoid cyst on preoperative radiographic examination.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydatid cysts that lack the typical radiographic appearance may be mistaken for arachnoid cysts. Misdiagnosis has serious implications for surgical intervention and long-term care.
Department of Neurosurgery, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Halil Ibrahim
HI
Secer
Ihsan
I
Anik
Ertugrul
E
Celik
Mehmet Kadri
MK
Daneyemez
Engin
E
Gonul
D000328:Adult; D016080:Arachnoid Cysts / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000469:parasitology*