Magnetic resonance imaging and cerebrospinal fluid immunoassay in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis: experience in southwest China.
We analysed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clinical characteristics as well as serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) immunoassay results in 41 patients with cerebral schistosomiasis. Thirty-five cerebral schistosomiasis patients were diagnosed by imaging and immunoassay, five by post-operative pathological examination and one by diagnostic treatment with praziquantel. We found that MRI showed specific enhancement, forming the 'Buddha's hand' appearance. Although this pattern of MRI enhancement may not be present in all cases of cerebral schistosomiasis, when it is observed a diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis should be considered. Meanwhile, CSF immunoassay may also play an important role in the differential diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.
Wan
Heng
H
Department of Neurology and Oncology, West China Fourth Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China. zeonguton@yahoo.cn
Masataka
Hayashi
H
Lei
Ting
T
Li
Ming
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002681:China; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006386:Hemagglutination Tests; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020818:Neuroschistosomiasis / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult
D003287:Contrast Media