title: Role of conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of spinal treatment protocol for hydatid disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the treatment protocol for hydatid disease of the spine.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report; literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate complicated infected hydatidosis from abscesses, epidermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts, and benign from malignant vertebral compression fractures. It is also helpful in differentiating between abscesses and necrotic tumors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate between infections requiring immediate surgery and those that can be treated medically with antihelmintic treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Doganay
authors.forename: Mecit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kantarci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D013131:Spine / Q000473:pathology*