title: A large primary dumbbell hydatid cyst causing neural foraminal widening of the thoracic spine: A case report and literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Spinal hydatid cyst is a rare, but serious condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Herein, we present a 17-year-old male patient with back pain radiating to the legs and progressive weakness in the lower limbs. CT and MRI showed a spinal-paraspinal hydatid cyst with a dumbbell appearance that caused neural foraminal widening and spinal cord compression. The case was explored via right T3-T4 hemilaminectomy, and the hydatid cyst was completely removed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical treatment of this rare case of spinal hydatid disease are discussed, and all published cases of primary dumbbell hydatid cyst are reviewed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Even if serological test results are negative, hydatid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic lesions of the spine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karakasli
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: muratran@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Dokuz Eylul University Medical Faculty, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ali Osman
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Mucuoglu
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Alaattin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yurt
keywords: Echinococcosis; Hydatid cyst; Surgical treatment; Thoracic spine