Management peculiarities of costovertebral hydatidosis

BACKGROUND: Costovertebral hydatidosis is a rarely reported clinical and radiological entity, estimated at less than 1% of thoracic hydatid locations. Its management is still not codified. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to specify the management peculiarities of costovertebral hydatidosis. METHODS: Between January 2000 and December 2018, 14 patients were managed for costovertebral hydatidosis in a thoracic surgery department. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 48 years. The history of a prior hydatid disease was found in 7 patients. Imaging features were suggestive in 13 cases. They showed: involvement of the spinal canal (6 cases), of the soft tissues (5 cases) and spinal cord compression (3 cases). Costovertebral resection of the hydatid lesions was complete in 12 cases. Four patients presented postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: Costovertebral hydatid involvement, may threaten the functional and vital prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and management are mandatory, before the occurrence of irreversible neurological impairment. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice and must be complete whenever possible. Relapse is frequent, hence the importance of a regular follow-up.