Case of the Week
Section Editors: Matylda Machnowska1 and Anvita Pauranik2
1University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
2BC Children's Hospital, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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June 21, 2010
Hydatid Cyst
- Central nervous system (CNS) hydatid cyst is an unusual parasitic disease caused by a tapeworm, Echinococcus, sp. E. granulosus.
- CNS hydatid cyst is rare and accounts for approximately 2% of all intracranial space-occupying lesions.
- Most are supratentorial.
- Most are solitary. Multilocular cysts are seen secondary to spontaneous, traumatic or surgical rupture.
- Typically well-defined, non-enhancing, unilocular, thin walled cystic lesions are seen without any associated edema. T2WI will characteristically demonstrate hypointense rims. Bone erosion can be seen.
- Multilocular cysts will produce a "bunch of grapes" appearance.
