Case report 833: Primary spinal echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus) of lumbosacral spine with destruction of the left pedicles of L3-5 and extension of a large paraspinal cystic mass into the spinal canal.

CT is helpful in recognizing the occurrence of hydatid cysts. The increased spatial resolution allows better visualization of details of bone destruction and spinal canal involvement. Paraspinal cystic disease may also show typical and/or characteristic signs of hydatid disease even if serological findings are falsely negative or inconclusive. In the postoperative follow-up, CT may be helpful in assessing residual hydatid cysts and/or in detecting recurrence at an earlier stage.