TITLE:
Primary Multiple Cerebral Hydatid Cyst in 8 Year-Old Girl: A Rare Cause of Childhood Seizure
AUTHORS:
Kaoutar Stitou, Ilias Zahir, Oualid Mohammed Hmamouche, Marouane Hammoud, Faycal Lakhdar, Mohammed Benzagmout, Khalid Chakour, Mohammed El Faiz Chaoui
KEYWORDS:
Hydatid Cysts, Multiple Hydatic Cysts, Childhood Seizures
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Modern Neurosurgery,
Vol.14 No.2,
April
19,
2024
ABSTRACT: Background: Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic infection that occurs worldwide. Humans are infected through ingestion of parasite eggs in contaminated food, water or through direct contact with infected dogs, which are the definite host. Humans serve accidentally as intermediate host, and occurrences are common in children and young adults. Cystic echinococcosis is endemic in Mediterranean, South American, Middle Eastern, Central Asia, East Africa countries and Australia. Multiple cerebral hydatid cysts are very rare with only a few reports in the literature. Case Description: We present the case of an 8-year-old girl who presented with focal seizures, hemiparesis, headache, vomiting and bilateral optic atrophy. Diagnostic workup was performed, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple intracranial cysts predominantly in the right frontal region with significant mass effect. A total of 11 intracranial cysts were removed surgically, and the child recovered uneventfully. Conclusion: Neurosurgeons should keep hydatidosis in the list of differentials when evaluating patients with cystic diseases of the brain. Although the removal of such cysts is challenging, outcomes are excellent when cysts are evacuated without rupture and patients show complete resolution of symptoms.