Primary multiple intramedullary and intradural extramedullary hydatid cysts of lumbar spinal canal

A rare case is reported of a 42 year old male farmer who developed gradual paraparesis and incontinence following a radicular pain for which myelography at the L4- L5 interspace revealed complete block at L3. With a presumptive diagnosis of intradural spinal cord tumor he was operated and turned out to be a case of primary intramedullary and intradural extramedulary hydatid cyst of the terminal 2.5 cm of spinal cord and cauda equina. postoperatively he completely recovered and after seventeen years he is without neurological deficit or further manifestations of echinococcosis