| mostly affecting organs such as the
liver and the lungs, has also been reported in other
parts of the body such as musculoskeletal system. 1
Numerous modalities have been introduced for diagnosis and
follow-up of hydatid disease among which noninvasive imaging
and serological tests are of great importance. 2 Nonetheless,
the latter seems to have been overlooked by Bulut et al 1
reporting that laboratory tests other than eosinophilia are not
helpful in the diagnosis of spinal or musculoskeletal hydatid
disease. Although serodiagnostic tests such as antibody
against echinococcal antigens, ELISA, indirect hemagglutination,
and complement fi xation tests for extrahepatic hydatid
disease are not as sensitive as for the liver hydatosis, they are
commonly used for preoperative diagnosis and follow-up
of the disease. 3 Although other highly sensitive and specifi c
yet more expensive and invasive methods are more reliable
than serodiagnostic tests for the diagnosis and follow-up of
the extrahepatic hydatid disease, the application of serodiagnostic
tests should not be |