Yonsei Med J.  2009 Aug;50(4):582-584. 10.3349/ymj.2009.50.4.582.

A Case of Extensive Spinal Cysticercosis Involving the Whole Spinal Canal in a Patient with a History of Cerebral Cysticercosis

• Shin DA
• Shin HC

• KMID: 1758621
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2009.50.4.582

Abstract

Although cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease affecting the central nervous system, spinal cysticercosis is rare. A rare form of spinal cysticercosis involving the whole spinal canal is presented. A 45-year-old Korean male had a history of intracranial cysticercosis and showed progressive paraparesis. Spinal magnetic resonance scan showed multiple cysts compressing the spinal cord from C1 to L1. Three different levels (C1-2, T1-3, and T11-L1) required operation. Histopathological examination confirmed cysticercosis. The patient improved markedly after surgery.

Keyword

Neurocysticercosis; subarachnoid space; spine; central nervous system parasitici infections

MeSH Terms

Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Neurocysticercosis/diagnosis/*pathology/surgery
Spinal Canal/*parasitology
Treatment Outcome

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 T2-weighted MR images of the whole spine, which demonstrate cysts located at the anterior subarachnoid space of T1-2 and posterior arachnoid space of C2, T5-T7, L1, and L2. Increased signal intensity, which indicates edema of the spinal cord, is noted at the level of T2 through T4 and T9 to T10 (arrows).

Reference

1. Colli BO, Valença MM, Carlotti CG Jr, Machado HR, Assirati JA Jr. Spinal cord cysticercosis: neurosurgical aspects. Neurosurg Focus. 2002. 12:e9.

2. Alsina GA, Johnson JP, McBride DQ, Rhoten PR, Mehringer CM, Stokes JK. Spinal neurocysticercosis. Neurosurg Focus. 2002. 12:e8.

3. Kim SK, Wang KC, Paek SH, Hong KS, Cho BK. Outcomes of medical treatment of neurocysticercosis: a study of 65 cases in Cheju Island, Korea. Surg Neurol. 1999. 52:563–569.

4. Lee JH, Kong Y, Ryu JY, Cho SY. Applicability of ABC-ELISA and protein A-ELISA in serological diagnosis of cysticercosis. Korean J Parasitol. 1993. 31:49–56.

5. Yong TS, Yeo IS, Seo JH, Chang JK, Lee JS, Kim TS, et al. Serodiagnosis of cysticercosis by ELISA-inhibition test using monoclonal antibodies. Korean J Parasitol. 1993. 31:149–156.

6. Rim HJ, Lee JS, Joo KH, Kim SJ, Won CR, Park CY. Therapeutic Trial Of Praziquantal (Embay 8440; Biltricide(R)) On The Dermal And Cerebral Human Cysticercosis. Kisaengchunghak Chapchi. 1982. 20:169–190.

7. Mohanty A, Das S, Kolluri VR, Das BS. Spinal extradural cysticercosis: a case report. Spinal Cord. 1998. 36:285–287.

8. Sotelo J, Guerrero V, Rubio F. Neurocysticercosis: a new classification based on active and inactive forms. A study of 753 cases. Arch Intern Med. 1985. 145:442–445.

9. Garcia HH, Pretell EJ, Gilman RH, Martinez SM, Moulton LH, Del Brutto OH, et al. A trial of antiparasitic treatment to reduce the rate of seizures due to cerebral cysticercosis. N Engl J Med. 2004. 350:249–258.

10. Singh G, Sander JW. Anticysticercal treatment and seizures in neurocysticercosis. Lancet Neurol. 2004. 3:207–208.