Posterior fossa extradural and extracranial hydatid cyst

Hydatidosis is an endemic disease in Morocco. Cerebral echinococcosis is a relatively rare entity accounting for only 1-2 % of all hydatid cysts in humans. Extradural hydatid cyst of the posterior fossa is a very uncommon site for the disease: only four cases have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 37-year-old admitted for high intracranial pressure. Brain MRI showed an extradural and extracranial posterior fossa cyst without enhancement after contrast medium injection. Multiple hydatid cysts were removed and the histological examination of the tissue sample confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was given albendazole postoperatively with good follow-up 6 months later. © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS.