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Neurological rarities
Disseminated cerebral hydatid disease (multiple intracranial echinococcosis)
  1. Patricia Svrckova1,
  2. Laura Nabarro2,
  3. Peter L Chiodini3,4,
  4. Hans Rolf Jäger1,5
  1. 1 Imaging Department, University College Hospital, London, UK
  2. 2 Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, University College Hospital, London, UK
  3. 3 Hospital for Tropical Diseases, London, UK
  4. 4 London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
  5. 5 Academic Neuroradiological Unit, Department of Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Patricia Svrckova, Imaging Department, University College Hospital, London NW1 2BU, UK; psvrckova{at}doctors.org.uk

Abstract

Intracranial echinococcosis is relatively uncommon and usually occurs in the context of echinococcal lesions elsewhere in the body, mostly liver and lung. Multiple intracranial lesions can result from rupture of an initial single intracranial cyst (in cystic echinococcosis) or from dissemination of systemic disease of the lung, liver or heart (cystic and alveolar echinococcosis). The two main subtypes, cystic and alveolar echinococcosis, present differently and have distinct imaging features in the brain. We discuss the presentation, imaging findings and clinical course of three cases (two cystic and one alveolar) of intracranial echinococcal disease in adults.

  • infectious diseases
  • neuroradiology
  • neurosurgery
  • tropical medicine
  • tropical neurology

https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2018-001954

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors PS wrote 60% of the manuscript, including the figures. LN wrote 40% of the manuscript, including the case histories. PLC revised the manuscript. HRJ revised the manuscript and advised on selection of images.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned. Externally peer reviewed by Mark Ellul, Liverpool, UK.

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