[MRI diagnosis of cerebral sparganosis in children].
OBJECTIVE
To study the value of MRI in the diagnosis of cerebral sparganosis in children.


METHODS
The MRI appearances of 17 children with cerebral sparganosis proven by pathology or serological test were retrospectively studied. The diagnostic accuracy rate of cerebral sparganosis was compared before and after knowing the imaging features of this disease.


RESULTS
Enhanced MRI was performed in 12 cases, and all of them demonstrated abnormal enhancement. Peripheral ring-type, tortuous beaded shape or serpiginous tubular shape enhancement were found in 8 cases. After analysis of follow-up MRI for 7 cases, a change in location and shape of lesions was found in 2 cases. Typical MRI patterns of cerebral sparganosis included abnormal enhancement such as peripheral ring-type, tortuous beaded shape or serpiginous tubular shape enhancement, and changes in location and shape of lesions in the follow-up MRI. The diagnostic accuracy rate for the 17 cases of cerebral sparganosis at the first visit, after first imaging examination and after several follow-up MR examinations were 0%, 11.8% and 28.6%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy rate of this disease increased to 64.7%, 70.6% and 85.7% respectively after the radiologists were trained in the imaging characteristics of the disease.


CONCLUSIONS
MR findings in children with cerebral sparganosis are specific. Mastering correctly the typical imaging features of the disease can be very helpful in reducing the rate of clinical misdiagnosis.
Gong
Cai-Gui
CG
Department of Radiology, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Wang
Xiao-Yi
XY
Liu
Jin-Kang
JK
Yue
Shao-Jie
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D020809:Central Nervous System Helminthiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013031:Sparganosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology