SPINAL HYDATID-DISEASE

Vertebral hydatid cysts are rare and found in less than 1% of all the cases of hydatidosis. Neural compression is common in vertebral hydati dosis. The prognosis is generally regarded as very poor. This paper ex amines the natural history and complications which may arise during th e treatment of vertebral hydatid cyst, and discusses their treatment. Thirteen cases of hydatid disease affecting the vertebrae are presente d. The patients were admitted with symptoms of spinal cord compression . Twelve were treated by laminectomy and one by costotransversectomy. Low back pain radiating to the legs and lower extremity weakness were the predominant symptoms. Different degrees of pareses were present in 12 patients. Nine patients had impaired sensation in lower extremitie s. In 13 patients, 27 operations were performed. The major complicatio n of surgery was the death of one patient due to the formaline irrigat ion. The surgical goal should be an extensive removal of the cysts and affected bone. The surgical area needs to be irrigated with hypertoni c saline. Mebendazole or albendazole therapy seems to retard the recur rences and control the disease.