Vertebral Echinococcosis Manifesting as Paraplegia: Insights from a Rare Case

Hydatidosis caused by echinococcus granulosus may affect any organ in the body, with the lungs and the liver as the most commonly affected organs. Vertebral compromise resulting from echinococcus granulosus has a low prevalence and accounts for less than 1% of bone compromise. We present the case of a 46-year-old woman from Morocco who presented with progressive back pain followed by acute paraplegia. Imaging revealed extensive osteolytic destruction of the T1-T3 vertebrae with associated paravertebral and pleural collections. Although initial suspicion was of spinal tuberculosis, subsequent biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of vertebral hydatidosis. Treatment consisted of surgical decompression, instrumented spinal stabilization, and adjuvant albendazole. Despite successful surgical intervention, the patient remained paraplegic at 18-month follow-up. This case highlights the diagnostic challenge and the need for early intervention to prevent severe neurological sequelae in patients with vertebral hydatidosis.