Myeloradiculopathy associated to Schistosoma mansoni

BMJ Case Rep. 2011 Aug 11:2011:bcr1220103631. doi: 10.1136/bcr.12.2010.3631.

Abstract

Neuroschistosomiasis caused by Schistosoma mansoni (Sm) is a rare and severe condition potentially leading to permanent neurological deficit. An 18-year-old Brazilian female was admitted due to a severe conus medullaris and cauda equina syndrome. MRI of thoracic/lumbar spine showed an expanded conus medullaris with patchy gadolinium-enhancement, needle electromyography revealed acute bilateral radiculopathy (L5-S1-S2), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed lymphocytosis and increased proteins and lesion' surgical biopsy documented a lymphocyte infiltrate. Immunodiagnosis with cercariae hullen reaction using Sm cercariae in CSF and serum and immunoelectrodiffusion for circulating antigens detection using anti-Sm antibodies were positive. No schistosoma parasites were found. The patient was treated with praziquantel and corticotherapy for 6 months. At 1 month, partial clinical improvement was noticed, and MRI showed a normal size conus medullaris. At 6 months, there was complete clinical recovery. This case shows that a severe neurological deficit by Sm may have a clinical full recovery after treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / therapeutic use
  • Animals
  • Anthelmintics / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / diagnosis*
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / drug therapy
  • Neuroschistosomiasis / etiology
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology
  • Polyradiculopathy / parasitology
  • Praziquantel / therapeutic use
  • Schistosoma mansoni
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / complications*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / parasitology

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anthelmintics
  • Praziquantel