Peripontomedullary hydatid cyst
Even when Hydatid cyst is found in the brain it presents usually in the supratentorial compartment. However this case was unique in having the Hydatid cyst within the infratentorial fossa. With multiple small cysts, causing mass effect and challenging for surgical resection.
A 44 years female presented with headache, diplopia and bulbar symptoms, followed by ataxia. Full examination, proper investigations showed the peripontomedullary hydatid cysts. Surgical management is illustrated.
It is still challenging for the neurosurgeons to operate on these lesions in spite of modern technologies and fancy approaches due to its delicate nature, associated risk of allergic reaction, cyst’s material dissemination and irreversible injury of multiple neurological structure due to prolonged compression of cranial nerves crossing the cerebellopontine angle.
In this case report Alkhotani et al., from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, present a rare case of Multiple Hydatid cysts involving a rare location in the brain; peripontomedullary area and extending all the way down to the foramen magnum. Supported with a literature review in relation to disease etiology, epidemiology, clinical presentation and management 1).