Cerebral hydatid cysts in children: 4 cases

The cerebral localization of the hydatid disease is rare, under 2%, and it primarily affects children. We report 4 cases of children presenting with a cerebral hydatid cyst (2 boys and 2 girls, mean age 9 years). Clinical symptoms were very progressive, the disease was frequently diagnosed several months (1-12 months) after onset of symptoms most often headaches and vomiting. One patient presented with a right tonic-clonic seizure 3 days before hospitalization. The diagnostic was confirmed in all cases by Cerebral CT scan. All the patients were screened for other localizations. One patient also presented with pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. Hydatid blood tests were positive in only one case. The treatment was surgical for all the patients (using hydropulsion) without complications in 2 cases. One child presented with meningitis, and the other child with signs of secondary ICHT related to residual mass which required its puncture. © 2006.