Treatment experiences of thoracic spinal hydatidosis: a single-center case-series study

Objective: Spinal hydatid disease is rare and remains a serious health problem associated with high rates of recurrence. We report our experience in treating patients with thoracic spinal hydatidosis through a single-center case-series study. Methods: Sixteen patients with thoracic spinal hydatidosis were treated in our center between 1995 and 2017. A total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) was performed in three patients. Five patients were treated with posterior decompression and stabilization after removing the involved elements. The remaining patients underwent curettage and resection of the infected bone. The therapy was completed with medical treatment or radiotherapy. Results: Of the 16 patients, seven were men and nine were women; their mean age was 38.5 years (range 28–60 years). The infected area was the upper thoracic level in one patient, mid thoracic level in eight patients, and lower thoracic level in seven patients. Four patients had paraplegia and seven had paraparesis before surgery. At the last follow-up, five patients had successfully recovered from the neurological damage. During a mean follow-up of 4.75 years (range 2–12 years), eight patients had local recurrence; however, no patient who underwent TES had recurrence. Conclusions: An individualized surgical strategy should be decided carefully for each patient in the first intervention. In the early stages of the disease, TES should be considered as a treatment for suitable cases of primary thoracic spinal hydatidosis. Keywords: Thoracic spinal hydatidosis, Surgical treatment, Total en bloc spondylectomy