Cerebral echinococcosis: Case report and literature review

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by the larval form of the cestode Echinococcus granulosus. The cerebral affectation in the human is uncommon; only in 1-2% cases is observed encephalic involvement. This condition occurs mainly in the pediatric population and it is characterized by the presence of single and unilocular cysts. We report a case of a 29-year-old patient who came to the emergency department with a disabling headache of several weeks of evolution. In the brain imaging study a mass of unknown origin was visualized, finally it turned out to be a bilobed hydatid cyst. Regarding this case, the clinic-epidemiological, diagnostics and treatments aspects of cerebral hydatid disease will be reviewed.

Keywords: Cerebral hydatid disease; Cystic echinococcosis; Echinococcus granulosus; Equinococosis quística; Hidatidosis cerebral; Hydatid cystic; Quiste hidatídico.