title: Intracranial hydatid cyst. Dilemma in diagnosis and management.
abstract: Intracranial hydatid disease is a parasitic infection that affects children in endemic areas such as the Mediterranean, South America, and Australia. In non-endemic areas, it is rare and may pose a diagnostic dilemma. We review a boy who presented with a right cerebral cyst. All investigations were negative, and hydatid cyst was encountered upon intra-operative exploration. We review the available diagnostic modalities, and the difficulty in reaching a preoperative diagnosis. We also review the surgical and medical treatment strategies. A cerebral hydatid cyst should be considered in children with cystic brain lesions even in non-endemic areas. Since serologic tests are frequently negative, the most reliable methods in reaching a diagnosis are radiological evaluation and histopathological examination. The cyst has a typical appearance on CT and MRI and this bears special importance on the treatment strategy where the cyst is best removed intact to avoid recurrence or anaphylaxis.
authors.affiliation: Neurosurgery Division, American University of Beirut, PO Box 11-0236, Riad El Solh 1107 2020, Beirut, Lebanon. Tel. +961 (3) 043704. Fax. +961 (1) 363291. E-mail: mwnajjar@yahoo.com, mn12@aub.edu.lb.
authors.forename: Marwan W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Najjar
authors.forename: Yasser
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Rajab
authors.forename: Yehyia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: El-Beheiri