Primary cerebral intraventricular hydatid cyst: A case report and review of the literature

Intracranial hydatid cysts, which are common in certain areas worldwide, almost always develop at an intraparenchymal site. However, the literature on intraventricular hydatid cysts consists of only 6 independent case reports and about 30 cases that are described in large series. We report on a 10-year-old girl who was admitted with an intracranial cyst. She complained of headache of 10 months' duration that had intensified significantly over the 3 weeks immediately before her admission. The results of a neurologic examination showed bilateral papilledema and slight left hemiparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a right temporo-parieto-occipital cystic lesion that was causing the shifting of the midline structures to the contralateral side. The giant cyst was successfully removed without rupture. The possibility of infection with Echinococcus gramilosus should be included in the differential diagnosis of unspecific neurologic symptoms such as a progressively worsening headache, especially in pediatric patients from the geographic areas in which that parasite is endemic.