CT AND MRI FINDINGS IN CEREBRAL HYDATID-DISEASE

Cerebral hydatid cysts account for 2% of all intracranial masses. Preo perative diagnosis is important since cyst rupture and spillage may ca use an anaphylactic reaction. CT is the primary modality for the diagn osis. Two forms of cerebral hydatid cysts have been reported on the ba sis of CT appearances: unilocular and multilocular. Demonstration of t he cyst wall is important for the diagnosis. MRI is superior to CT for demonstrating the cyst capsule and perifocal oedema. We retrospective ly reviewed the CT and MRI findings of 6 surgically proven cases of ce rebral hydatid cyst and compared the two modalities on the basis of th eir demonstration of findings helpful in the diagnosis, such as the ca psule and perifocal oedema. In 1 case CT showed the capsule. In 2 case s MRI showed a hypointense capsule around the cyst on T2-weighted imag es. While CT is the modality of choice, in clinical practice MRI is su perior for demonstrating the cyst capsule, which is a helpful finding in the diagnosis and can be used in inconclusive cases.