title: [Vertebral primary hydatid cyst with mediastinal involvement and paraplegia].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The vertebrae are the most common localization of hydatid disease of bone. This can lead to fatal consequences.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report the case of a 40-year-old-man, from a rural area, who had symptoms of medullary compression. The diagnosis of primary vertebral hydatid cyst, already suspected on the imaging data, was confirmed. A right posterolateral thoracotomy allowed drainage of the cyst and relief of the medullary compression. Medical treatment with albendazole was continued for 4 months. The postoperative course was uneventful and the symptoms of medullary compression resolved progressively. No recurrence was observed during a follow-up of 24 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vertebral localization of hydatid disease is the most common and serious skeletal complication. Thoracotomy allows drainage of the cyst and the pleural cavity, and relieves the medullary compression.
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Thoracique et Cardiovasculaire, CHU Sahloul, Sousse, Tunisie. faouzialimi@gmail.com
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Alimi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Limayem
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mgarrech
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marzouk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jerbi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mlika
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ennabli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004322:Drainage; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D004446:Echinococcus; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery