Spinal hydatid cysts.

Eleven cases of spinal hydatid cyst are reported. The patients were admitted with symptoms of compression of the spinal cord. The cysts were localized epidurally in 10 patients and intradurally but extramedullarily in one, and were confirmed histopatholgically after surgical intervention. The results are compared with those reported in the literature. Six of the patients were female and five were male. Their ages ranged from 10 to 65 years. All of the patients were treated surgically, with an incidence of cyst recurrence of 18% and no mortality. Mebendazole (Vermox) was given to two of the patients after their operations.