A Case Report of Primary Brain Hydatid Cyst in a Child

Hydatid cyst is endemic in India, with different clinical presentations according to the site of involvement in the body. However, its occurrence in the brain without the involvement of other body parts is rare.

An eight-year-old female child presented with right-sided limb weakness and slurring of speech. The diagnosis of primary brain hydatid cyst was made with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the brain. The cyst was removed in toto, resulting in improved post-operative slurring of speech and limb weakness.

In countries with endemic hydatid disease, it should be kept as one of the possible differential diagnoses and managed as per hydatid protocol until another definitive diagnosis of brain cystic mass can be made, in order to prevent rupture and dissemination.