[Costo-vertebral hydatid disease: the role of MRI].

INTRODUCTION

Hydatid disease of bone is very rare accounting for 0.5% - 3% of all localisations.

CASE REPORT

We report the case of a woman of 30 years who presented with posterior chest pain. The chest radiograph showed an extra-pulmonary mass associated with a lytic rib lesion. Thoracic ultrasound revealed a multiloculated soft tissue and fluid mass. CT scan showed a fluid filled costo-vertebral cyst. MRI identified extension into the spinal canal. Pathological examination of the surgically resected material confirmed the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

This observation emphasises the role of MRI in assessing the extent of hydatid cysts of the posterior chest wall and in particular invasion of the spinal canal.