Unusual cause of paraplegia in a child of 5 years

Abstract

‘Hydatid’ originates from the Greek word meaning ‘watery vesicle’. It refers to a cyst formed as a result of infestation by larvae of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, endemic to sheepraising areas of the world. Humans are an accidental intermediary host, with lungs and liver most commonly affected. Hydatid involvement of the spine accounts for less than 1% of the total cases of hydatid disease and isolated extradural involvement is even rarer. We report a case of extradural hydatid cyst involving a boy of 5 years.