Historical Aspects of Hydatidosis of the Central Nervous System

The aim of this study is to present the most important historical aspects of hydatidosis of the central nervous system. Echinococcosis or hydatidosis is a disease that has been recognized by humans for centuries. There has been mention of it in the studies of Hippocrates, Aretaeus, Galen and Rhazes. But, it was not until the seventeenth century that the parasitic nature of these cysts was recognized by Francesco Redi. In 1766 German Pierre Simon Pallas formulated the hypothesis that hydatid cysts were larval stages of tapeworms. Full understanding of the clinical features of this disease came in the late 1800s, which progressed to the development of immunological diagnostic tests by the early 1900s. Surgical techniques to remove cysts were first attempted in the 1600s, which has proven to be an effective treatment that is evolving with medical technology.