Isolated cerebral hydatid cysts: a comparative study of two different types of presentations.

OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate the existence of two imaging patterns of cerebral hydatidosis and discuss its clinical importance. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of six cases of cerebral hydatidosis using various imaging techniques including CT, MRI, angiography and cystogram. RESULTS: Clinically the most common findings included papilloedema, headache and vomiting. Two of the cases reported recurrence of symptoms and were reoperated. The first 4 cases presented the classical signs of unilocular well defined cysts while the last two cases had multilocular, often polygonal cysts with perifocal edema, calcification and membrane detachment. CONCLUSION: Two radiologically and pathologically distinct subtypes of hydatidosis exist. Division into groups may assist decision over treatment protocol.