Intramedullary hydatid cyst

Abstract

THOUGH diminishing in frequency, hydatid cysts are still one of the causes of spinal cord compression. They usually occur in the body and laminae of the vertebrae. Less common are the primary epidural forms. There have been five such cases seen in this service, and they constitute 2% of all histologically verified expanding intraspinal lesions. In 1967, Acquaviva, et al., 3 reviewed eight cases of extramedullar subarachnoidal cysts; these included three reported by Deve, 7 four single cases, 4,~,8,11 plus one observed by them with Bertrand. A ninth case, published by Carrea and Murphy, 6 could also be added. However, except for a disputable case mentioned by Montansey 1~ in 1827, we have not found in the literature any other reference to an intramedullary hydatid cyst.