Treatment of Vertebral Hydatidosis and Factors Influencing Local Recurrence: A Systematic Review

Keywords: Vertebral hydatidosis, surgical treatment, local recurrence

Abstract

Background: Bone hydatidosis is rare, but approximately half of the cases involve the spine. Treatment is challenging because of the complexity of the lesions and adjacent structures; moreover, local recurrence rates are high. The aim of this review was to describe the outcomes of surgical treatments in patients with vertebral hydatidosis and to evaluate factors associated with recurrence. Materials and Methods: A systematic review of articles addressing the surgical treatment of vertebral hydatidosis was performed. Data collected included characteristics of cystic lesions, type of surgery performed, and postoperative outcomes. Results: Data from 99 patients were analyzed. The most frequent presentation was extradural intraspinal involvement of the thoracic spine; 74.5% of patients presented with incomplete neurological deficits. Decompression surgery, resection of cysts, and spinal stabilization were performed in 75% of cases, and all patients received postoperative albendazole therapy. All patients experienced symptomatic improvement, although 27.9% did not achieve complete recovery. Among patients with follow-up longer than one year, 76% developed local recurrence. An association was found between the type of surgery performed and local recurrence (p = 0.05). Conclusions: Vertebral hydatidosis is a rare disease with slow progression and potential neurological complications. When selecting the surgical approach, lesion location, neurological involvement, and spinal stability should be considered. Recurrence is a frequent complication; however, a definitive predisposing cause could not be identified.

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Author Biographies

Micaela Cinalli, Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Gustavo Zubieta Orihuela, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Obrero No. 4. Oruro, Bolivia
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Obrero No. 4. Oruro, Bolivia
Carlos Augusto Álvarez Martini, Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Abril Arrue, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Municipal de Agudos “Dr. Leónidas Lucero”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Municipal de Agudos “Dr. Leónidas Lucero”, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Pedro Luis Bazán, Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Board-Certified Spine Surgeon.Head of the Spinal Pathology Unit, Orthopedics and Traumatology Service, Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos “General San Martín”, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.Board-Certified Orthopedic and Trauma Surgeon by the Argentine Association of Orthopedics and Traumatology.Consultant Specialist in Orthopedics and Traumatology, District I Medical Council.

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Published
2026-02-27
How to Cite
Cinalli, M., Zubieta Orihuela, G., Álvarez Martini, C. A., Arrue, A., & Bazán, P. L. (2026). Treatment of Vertebral Hydatidosis and Factors Influencing Local Recurrence: A Systematic Review. Revista De La Asociación Argentina De Ortopedia Y Traumatología, 91(1), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.15417/issn.1852-7434.2026.91.1.2131
Section
Revisión Sistemática

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