Spinal cord schistosomiasis: Case report

Abstract

The authors present a case of spinal cord schistosomiasis which simulated a tumoral lesion determining spastic paraparesis with a sensitive-motor level at T1. The patient was treated with surgery, praziquantel and dexamethasone, with “restitutio ad integrum”. Seven years later the patient presented recrudescence of the symptoms, without a good response to the medication and without a plausible explanation.

The authors wonder about the reasons of the low incidence of central nervous system schistosomosis in an endemic area such as the Northeast of Brazil. A brief review of the literature is done.

Resumo

Os autores apresentam um caso de esquistossomose medular simulando processo tumoral, manisfestando-se com paraparesia espástica e nível sensitivo em T1. O tratamento cirúrgico, complementado pela administração de praziquantel e dexametasona, proporcionou recuperação total do quadro neurológico. Após sete anos, houve recidiva dos sintomas, de causa não totalmente esclarecida e sem resposta ao tratamento medicamentoso.

Chamam atenção à baixa incidência de neuroesquistossomose em regiões endêmicas, como o Nordeste do Brasil.

Keywords

Schistosomiasis - Spinal cord schistosomiasis

Palavras-chave

Esquistossomose - Esquistossomose medular - Neuroesquistossomose

^*Professor of the Health Science Center (HSC) of the Ceara Federal University (CFU)

^**Head of Pathologic Anatomy Service, Fortaleza General Hospital (FGH)

^***Neurosurgical Resident

^****Medical student of HSC of CFU