1. Pseudotumoral form of neuroschistosomiasis: report of three cases
- Author
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Celso A. S. Filho, Theomira Mauadie Azevedo Carmo, Isis Fernandes Magalhães, Antônio de Souza Andrade Filho, Leonardo Conrado S. Lima, Isolda N. Amado, Aristides Cheto de Queiroz, Antonio C. C. Freire, and Mitermayer G. Reis
- Subjects
Adult ,Male ,Microbiology (medical) ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Pathology ,Adolescent ,Central nervous system ,lcsh:QR1-502 ,pseudotumoral form ,Schistosomiasis ,Dexamethasone ,Praziquantel ,lcsh:Microbiology ,lcsh:Infectious and parasitic diseases ,Dysarthria ,Cerebrospinal fluid ,Dysgraphia ,Epidemiology ,Biopsy ,Humans ,Medicine ,lcsh:RC109-216 ,Glucocorticoids ,Anthelmintics ,neuropathology ,medicine.diagnostic_test ,business.industry ,Magnetic resonance imaging ,medicine.disease ,Magnetic Resonance Imaging ,Infectious Diseases ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Prednisone ,Female ,medicine.symptom ,Tomography, X-Ray Computed ,business ,Neuroschistosomiasis - 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.
- Published
- 2007