Pseudotumoral form of neuroschistosomiasis: report of three cases.

Abstract

Central nervous system (CSN) involvement in schistosomiasis is an ectopic manifestation with a large variety of clinical forms, including pseudotumoral, which occurs in isolated cases and is rare. Three patients with epidemiological indications of this pathology were examined; the clinical picture included lower-back pain irradiating to lower limbs, associated with progressive flaccid paraparesis and sphincterial disturbances in cases in which the spinal chord was involved; while in cases with encephalitic impairment, headache, dizziness and cerebellar syndrome, characterized by dysarthria and right-side dysgraphia, were present. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a growing process in all cases; cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) characteristics and biological markers were compatible with neuroschistosomiasis (NS). Biopsy of the lesions confirmed this diagnosis in one case. After specific treatment with schistosomicides and corticosteroids, clinical, radiological and laboratorial improvement was observed.

• Authors: Antonio S Andrade Filho, Aristidez C Queiroz, Antonio C C Freire, Leonardo Conrado S Lima, Celso A S Filho, Isolda N Amado, Mittermeyer G Reis, Isis Fernandes Magalhães, Theomira M A Carmo
• Journal: The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases : an official publication of the Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases (Braz J Infect Dis) Vol. 11 Issue 4 Pg. 435-8 (Aug 2007) ISSN: 1413-8670 [Print] Brazil
• PMID: 17874001 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anthelmintics
• Glucocorticoids
• Praziquantel
• Dexamethasone
• Prednisone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Anthelmintics (therapeutic use)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use)
• Female
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Neuroschistosomiasis (cerebrospinal fluid, diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Praziquantel (therapeutic use)
• Prednisone (therapeutic use)
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed