Abstract

Hydatid disease (HD)—also called hydatidosis, echinococcal disease or echinococcosis is a zoonosis caused by tapeworms of the genus Echinococcus. The disease is usually acquired when contaminated water or food that contains the parasitic larvae of echinococci is ingested. CT and MRI are ways to define better cyst calcifications; they are crucial for determining lesion viability and in turn, selecting the appropriate treatment. CT and MR imaging have important roles in the evaluation of extra-hepatic HD, as they enable better assessment of the extent of larger lesions and aid in establishing the relationships of the cyst with surrounding structures.

Key words: hydatid cyst, hydatidosis