Twenty-six years of involvement with cystic echinococcosis: a case report

INTRODUCTION: Spinal hydatidosis, a zoonotic disease caused by infection with Echinococcus spp. larvae, is rare, but its treatment remains a significant medical challenge. Approximately 70% of patients with spinal hydatidosis have lesions in their liver, 0–15% have lung involvement, and only 0.5–2% have bone involvement. CASE PRESENTATION: Here we report a 38-year-old Iranian man with spinal hydatidosis, who had a history of eight times surgery in over of 26 years due to hydatid cyst in the liver, lungs, and chest wall. At the most recent admission to hospital he presented with chest pain, paraplegia, and urinary incontinence. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed thoracic spinal hydatid disease. He underwent surgery, and the hydatid cysts were completely removed. Lower extremity forces recovered dramatically and completely within 4 weeks. CONCLUSION: Spinal hydatidosis is a rare disease, but it is associated with a high degree of morbidity, mortality, and poor prognosis. Because of the infiltrative nature of hydatid disease, surgery alone is rarely curative. The current case study demonstrates the importance of a suitable surgical approach, adequate intraoperative prophylaxis to prevent cyst rupture, and prolonged complete paraplegia.