الـجــامعــــة الــوطنيـــــة الـخــاصـــــة

الواحة الأكاديمية للجامعة الوطنية الخاصة

Neuroendoscopic management of a third ventricle hydatid cyst presenting with obstructive hydrocephalus in a 4-year-old female: a case report and review of the literature

Researcher: Prof.Ahmad Zahi AlChawwaf

Faculty of Dentistry - Al-Wataniya Private University

Abstract :

Abstract Background Hydatidosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larvae of Echinococcus granulosus, typically acquired through ingestion of contaminated food. While hydatid cysts commonly develop in the liver and the lungs, the central nervous system is rarely affected, and the cyst predominantly develops within the cerebral parenchyma. However, the ventricular system involvement remains extremely rare. Among the cases of intraventricular hydatid cysts, the lateral ventricles are the mostly affected, while the involvement of the third ventricle remains exceedingly rare, with only five cases previously reported in the literature. Case Presentation A 4-year-old Syrian female presented to the neurology department with acute right-eye strabismus, headache, and vomiting for 2 weeks. Ophthalmic examination identified papilledema involving the right eye, while radiological imaging identified a spherical cystic mass in the third ventricle, at the foramen of Monro, leading to right lateral ventricle hydrocephalus. Therefore, the strabismus was likely due to 6th cranial nerve palsy, caused by the increased intracranial pressure. The patient underwent neuroendoscopic cyst excision via the transventicular transforaminal approach. Histopathological examination corroborated the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst. Postoperative management included prolonged albendazole therapy, and follow-up imaging showed no recurrence (refer to Graphical Abstract). Conclusion Hydatid cysts should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intraventricular cystic lesions, although extremely rare. Further studies are necessary to guide standardized protocols for these unusual neurological entities. The surgical intervention is precision-demanding and relies on the neurosurgeon’s expertise to prevent intraoperative complications. Histopathological confirmation remains essential for diagnosis in cases of cerebral hydatid cysts. Keywords Hydatid cyst, Third ventricle, Echinococcosis, Intraventricular cyst, Neuroendoscopy, Transventicular transforaminal approach, Case report
 
 

Participating researchers :

Dr. Ahed Assaf
Dr.  Suleiman Khaddour
Dr.  Saja Karaja 
Dr.  Mousa Barboura
Dr.  William Borghol
Dr. Hamed Alfakhouri 
Dr. Jalal Najjar 

Publisher : 

Journal of Medical Case Reports (Q2)
 

Research Link   : 

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أهلا وسهلا بكم في الواحة الأكاديمية للجامعة الوطنية الخاصةانقر لزيارة الموقع الرسمي للجامعة الوطنية الخاصةانقر لزيارة موقع الواحة الطلابية للجامعة الوطنيةانقر لزيارة موقع المكتبة الالكترونية للجامعة الوطنية الخاصة
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