Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings in cerebral hydatid disease

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the discriminative computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features of cerebral hydatid disease.Methods: The CT and MRI findings of four cases of surgically proven cerebral hydatid cysts were retrospectively reviewed. Results: CT demonstrated well-defined cystic lesions with no perilesional oedema and no contrast enhancement in all cases except one recurrent disease that showed both peripheral oedema and rim enhancement. MR images revealed well-defined cystic lesions with a quite clear rim that showed relative hypointensity limited to some aspects of the cyst walls on T2-weighted images. The cysts were spherical and obvious mass effect was observed on both CT and MR examinations. Conclusions: Although the cystic nature of intracranial hydatid disease could be equally well demonstrated on CT and MR examinations, CT is superior in detecting calcification of the cyst wall or septa, when present, and MR is better in demonstrating cyst capsule, detecting multiplicity and defining the anatomic relationship of the lesion with the adjacent structures and helps in surgical planning.