Cerebral coenurosis

Abstract

A case of the unusual clinical condition of cerebral coenurosis, the unique parasitic disease that is localized only in the CNS, is reported. The patient had repeated attacks of transient hemiparesis due to intracranial arteritis which was demonstrated by several angiographic studies. The CSF showed a discreet lymphocytosis and increased immunoglobulins. This inflammatory reaction which preceeded the manifestations of the intracranial mass can be explained by the parasitic foreign bodies, the liberation of somatic and metabolic parasitic toxins and the immunological reaction of the organism. The arteritis of the basal intracranial vessels was probably secondary to the inflammatory reaction of the leptomeninges. In presence of the rare association of meningovascular disease and an expanding intracranial lesion a parasitic condition due to a larval stage of Cestodes (Hydatidosis, Cysticercosis, Coenurosis) should be always considered.

First report of an outbreak of cerebral coenurosis in Dhofari goats in Oman

“…In this study, number and sizes of the recovered cysts are similar to those reported in literature (GICIK et al, 2007;TAVASSOLI et al, 2011). Morphologically, the recovered cysts possessed ~ 300-400 protoscolices per cyst which coincide with results of other studies (MICHAL et al, 1977;RAZIG & MAGZOUB, 1973;TIRGARI et al, 1987). Difference in protoscolex numbers may be associated with the degree of cysts maturity.…”

Huge hemispheric intraparenchymal cyst caused byTaenia multicepsin a child

“…5,8,9 In the brain, coenurii tend to invade the parenchyma or spread along CSF pathways, eventually causing basal arachnoiditis or ependymitis. 10 The most common signs and symptoms of coenurus infection are headache, vomiting, and papilledema, all caused by increased ICP from the mass effect of the cystic lesion. Focal neurological deficit, such as cranial nerve palsy and motor weakness, are also commonly seen.…”

“…The differential diagnosis of a supratentorial, intraaxial, cystic brain lesion includes low-and high-grade neoplastic lesions, abscesses, neuroglial cysts, 13 and parasitic cysts, mainly neurocysticercosis and hydatid cysts. 10 There are no reliable preoperative tests to establish a diagnosis of coenurosis. Hence, when the possibility of a parasitic infection involving the brain exists, coenurosis should be considered after echinococcosis and cysticercosis infections are excluded.…”

“…21 In the past, surgery for this type of cyst was associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. 3,10,19 The results were greatly improved after the introduction of the modern neuroradiological techniques of CT and MR imaging. 15 If signs and symptoms of increased ICP are present and can be attributed to the brain cyst, total surgical removal is the treatment of choice.…”

Other cestodes

“…There are approximately 30 cases of human CNS coenurosis reported in the scientific literature in South Africa, Europe, India, the USA, Brazil, and Israel (Table 27.1) (Brumpt, 1913; Clapham, 1941; Roger, 1942; Cluver quoted by Craig, 1943; Landells, 1949; Johnstone and Jones, 1950; Becker and Jacobson, 1951a,b; Watson and Laurie, 1955; Ranque and Nicoli, 1955; Bertrand et al, 1956; Correa et al, 1962; D’Andrea and Morello, 1964; Hermos et al, 1970; Michal et al, 1977; Schellhas and Norris, 1985; Pau et al, 1987, 1990; Malomo et al, 1990; Sabattani et al, 2004; Benifla et al, 2007). Becker describes at least 14 additional similar cases (Becker and Jacobson, 1951a).…”