Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in determining the treatment protocol for hydatid disease of the spine. DESIGN: Case report; literature review. FINDINGS: Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate complicated infected hydatidosis from abscesses, epidermoid cysts from arachnoid cysts, and benign from malignant vertebral compression fractures. It is also helpful in differentiating between abscesses and necrotic tumors. CONCLUSION: Diffusion-weighted MRI can help differentiate between infections requiring immediate surgery and those that can be treated medically with antihelmintic treatment.