Role of conventional and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of spinal treatment protocol for hydatid disease.
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.
Doganay
Selim
S
Department of Radiology, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
Kantarci
Mecit
M
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*