Spinal hydatid disease with epidural extension and spinal cord compression: A radiology case report

Spinal hydatid disease is rare, destructive parasitic infection of the spine. The disease often presents with nonspecific symptoms. that overlaps with spinal tuberculosis, pyogenic infection, and metastatic malignancy. We report a case of 65-year-old man with thoracic spine involvement of Hydatid disease. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated destructive vertebral disease with a characteristic cystic morphology. The imaging pattern favoured hydatid cyst as the most likely diagnosis. Correlation with epidemiologic history and serology was used to confirm the diagnosis and guide management. Due to neurological deficit and epidural spinal canal involvement, the patient underwent surgical decompression and cyst excision, followed by antiparasitic therapy. This case highlights the importance of recognizing the typical magnetic resonance imaging appearance of spinal hydatid disease to enable timely multidisciplinary management and prevention of severe complications including accidental surgical rupture leading to anaphylaxis.