Spinal cord schistosomiasis japonica: a report of 4 cases.
BACKGROUND
Neuroschistosomiasis is a severe presentation of schistosomal infection. Currently however, spinal cord schistosomiasis japonica is clinically rare, and very few cases are reported.


METHODS
The purpose of this study is to retrospectively analyze the diagnosis and treatment of 4 patients who presented with a lower cord syndrome of acute progression characterized by motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunctions. The patients were examined by MRI, and the biochemical and immunologic changes of blood and CSF of the patients were also analyzed before surgery. Treatments including surgical resection and antischistosomal drugs followed by a histologic examination were used to confirm the diagnosis.


RESULTS
Spinal cord schistosomiasis japonica is a very rare disease. Magnetic resonance imaging can obtain precise position fixing, although it is hard to make preoperative qualitative determination. Postoperative follow-up assessment indicated that the symptoms of 4 patients had improved without further treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The main clinical manifestations of spinal cord schistosomiasis japonica have some common features, and MRI is useful and important in diagnosing the disease. The most effective treatment for the disease that shows radiological evidence of spinal cord or conus compression and inefficacious expectant treatment by other methods is to excise it totally and apply antischistosomal drugs.
Jiang
Yu-Gang
YG
Department of Neurosurgery, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province 410011, China. 13707315567@hnmcc.com
Zhang
Ming-Ming
MM
Xiang
Jun
J
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D020818:Neuroschistosomiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D012554:Schistosomiasis japonica / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae