Cerebral sparganosis diagnosed and treated with stereotactic techniques

Abstract

Infestation of the central nervous system with sparganum, the larva of Spirometra mansoni, is rare. Only 27 cases have been reported in the literature; however, the true incidence might be underestimated. Two cases are reported that were definitively diagnosed by stereotactic biopsy techniques. Without a positive histological diagnosis, the first case would have been diagnosed as having a metastatic brain tumor and a course of radiotherapy would probably have been initiated. Differentiation between granuloma of cerebral sparganosis and brain tumors such as meningiomas, gliomas, and metastatic tumors is often difficult before operation. Detailed magnetic resonance imaging might offer some help in such cases. Emphasis is placed on the increasing importance of stereotactic surgery in the diagnosis and treatment of an intracerebral mass lesion, including cerebral sparganosis.

MR spectroscopy and MR perfusion character of cerebral sparganosis: a case report

“…Spargametra mansoni [2]. The common route of infection in humans is through ingestion of fresh or improperly cooked meat of the infected host, such as pigs, snakes and frogs.…”

Tapeworms

“…Cerebral and spinalcord sparganosis are serious manifestations. The diagnosis of CNS sparganosis has been made by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and stereotactic biopsy methods have been useful diagnostic tools [20][21][22][23][24][25]. Serodiagnosis, using monoclonal antibodies in a competition ELISA, has been reported.…”

Diagnosis and stereotactic aspiration treatment of cerebral sparganosis: summary of 11 cases

“…monitoring of existing cases. 19,24 In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical manifestations, imaging features, and therapeutic procedures for 11 patients with cerebral sparganosis and summarized the experience gained from stereotactic operations for the treatment of this disease.…”