Hydatid cyst is the condition caused by larvae of the parasite Echinococcus granulosus, usually involving the liver, lung, and spleen. Involvement of the cerebrum with a hydatid cyst is a rare entity, comprising 2%-3% of all cases of hydatidosis. Intraventricular extension of cerebral hydatid cysts occurs in only a limited percentage of cases. Cerebral hydatid cysts can present with nonspecific symptoms, usually with features of raised intracranial pressure. Therefore, it is crucial to consider cerebral hydatid cysts as a potential diagnosis, especially in pediatric patients with nonspecific neurological symptoms, particularly those from areas endemic to the parasite. We report a case of a 9-year-old girl who presented with progressive headache and vomiting, with imaging findings suggestive of a giant hydatid cyst in the brain. She was managed surgically with a good outcome.
Keywords: Echinococcosis; Hydatid cyst; Intraventricular extension.
© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.