Hydatid disease of the central nervous system: a review of literature with an emphasis on Latin American countries.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an up to date review of the epidemiology, etiology, treatment and prevention of hydatid cyst of the central nervous system, with an emphasis in South American countries.


METHODS
We searched the PubMed databases for articles containing the terms 'hydatid cyst' and 'nervous system'.


RESULTS
We found and reviewed 303 articles and their related references. We provide the available information on the pathology, life cycle and diagnostic modalities (laboratory tests and imaging) along with possible complications of the disease. Current treatment methods of hydatid cyst in the brain and spine are also being discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Echinococcosis is a rare parasitic disease, endemic in some parts of South America. The epidemiology of echinococcosis is influenced by agricultural, educational, economic, medical and cultural factors. Human infestation occurs through the fecal-oral route. Infection of the central nervous system is rare, and the mainstay of treatment is surgical excision of the intracranial or spinal cyst, when present. Preventive programs should break the parasite life cycle and also educate the farmers in endemic areas.
Nourbakhsh
Ali
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA. nourbakhsh.ali@googlemail.com
Vannemreddy
Prasad
P
Minagar
Alireza
A
Toledo
Eduardo González
EG
Palacios
Enrique
E
Nanda
Anil
A
D002494:Central Nervous System Infections; D004443:Echinococcosis; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology