Intradural extramedullary hydatid cyst: report of four cases

ABSTRACT

Progressive myelopathy was noted in three and an incomplete cauda equina syndrome in a fourth patient with intradural extramedullary hydatid cysts. In three patients the presence of medullary cysts were thought to be "de novo", but in one was a consequence of an intra-operatively ruptured cerebral cyst two years previously. Surgical exploration was modestly successful in relieving the symptoms. In at least three patients there was involvement of lung and liver with multiple cysts