Hydatid Cyst Brain Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

To completely understand the hydatid cyst in brain, we should have a clear concept about hydated cyst. Hydatid cyst are the cyst which occurs due to the larva of a specific worm i.e. tapeworm having genus echinococcus. Hydatid cysts are the larval cyst which appear as a fluid filled sacs containing several daughter cysts. The solices in the fluid filled sacs may sometime proliferate and turns in to a spongy mass. This spongy mass may turn in to the advanced stage of cancer i.e. metastasize. All this happen in the tissues of host.

This is known as hydatid cyst. When this cyst involves brain, then this is termed as hydatid cyst brain. Whenever there is echinococcus granulosus infection in human body, there are 1 to 2 percent chances that it'll involve brain. Hydatid cyst brain is also known as cerebral hydatid cysts if it involves supratentorial region of brain i.e. cerebrum of brain.

Lesions or cysts in infratentorial region of brain i.e. in cerebellum of brain is rare. The tapeworm i.e. echinococcus may cause different types of infections and each type involves different regions of body. These cyst usually occur in men who spend most of their time with animals.

Hydatid Cyst Brain Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment

Hydatid Cyst Brain Symptoms


Hydatid cysts are usually asymptomatic at the initial stages but may show symptoms when grow larger in size. The symptoms are totally dependent on the site involved in hydatid cyst.  The load of parasites and the size of cysts shows the severity of symptoms. When the cyst are more than 5 cm in diameter, then these cysts are symptomatic. The common symptoms are decreased number of consciousness, dizziness and headache. These symptoms are associated with hydatid cyst brain. These symptoms specifically show involvement of cerebral part of brain. Some other specific neurologic deficits are dependent on the site of brain involved in hydatid cyst.

Hydatid Cyst Brain Causes


Hydatid cyst has a causative agent named tapeworm of genus echinococcus. It is usually found in the faeces of animals like dogs. So men who are usually in contact with animals are more prone to hydatid cysts. Animals having tapeworm in their body pass on eggs in their faeces, and these eggs when come in contact with men, these eggs get transfer in to the human body and find a most suitable environment for their growth. Usually it is found in lungs and liver but the chances of hydatid cyst in brain are rare i.e. only 1 percent.

Hydatid Cyst Brain Treatment


When hydatid cyst are diagnosed in brain, them surgical removal of cysts along with the parasites is recommended. The treatment is dependant on the type of infection i.e. the infection may be alveolar or cystic. For cystic echinococcus, chemotherapy is considered the primary treatment and it is effective. There are three main methods or techniques of chemotherapy are used now a days which are aspiration, injection and reaspiration. Zole family i.e. albendazole, mebendazole and benzimidazoles are used as chemotherapeutic agents. The doses are adjusted according to the severity of hydatid cyst disease.
Hydatid Cyst Brain Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Hydatid Cyst Brain Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Treatment Reviewed by Simon Albert on March 07, 2019 Rating: 5
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