Primary soliter and multiple intracranial cyst hydatid disease: Report of five cases

Echinococcosis is a parasitic disease caused by infestation of various body tissues by the encysted larvae of Echinococcosis granulosa, the tapeworm. The disease because of the inefficiency of environmental health and protective care and dealing with animals is prevalent in South America, Africa, Australia, the Mediterranean countries and the Middle East. Cerebral hydatid cysts are rare and comprise only 0.5–3% of all reported hydatid cysts. Brain involvement is seen rare and primary form is very rare. We report five cases of primary hydatid disease of the brain. In three cases (60%), brain involvement was solitary, while two cases (40%) had primary multiple intracranial hydatid cysts. This study confirms that hydatid disease is a difficult health problem in Turkey.