Cerebral hydatid cysts in children: A report of three cases

Abstract

Cerebral hydatid disease is a rare parasitic infection caused by the larval form of Echinococcus granulosus, with central nervous system involvement occurring in less than 2% of cases. It primarily affects children in endemic areas, including Morocco, often presenting with signs of raised intracranial pressure. We report three pediatric cases involving large supratentorial and infratentorial hydatid cysts confirmed by CT and MRI. Clinical symptoms included hemiparesis, visual disturbances, headaches, and papilledema. One case was complicated by subfalcine herniation, another by subdural empyema, and one involved isolated posterior fossa cyst with hydrocephalus. All patients underwent surgical removal using the Dowling-Orlando technique, with favorable outcomes and adjunct albendazole therapy. This case series highlights the diagnostic importance of neuroimaging and the effectiveness of early surgical intervention in achieving full recovery, while underscoring the need to consider cerebral hydatidosis in differential diagnosis, especially in children with neurological signs and a history of contact with dogs.