title: MRI findings of spinal visceral larva migrans of Toxocara canis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study is to investigate the MRI findings of visceral larva migrans (VLS) of Toxocara canis in spinal cord.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed spinal MRI findings in eight patients with serologically proven Toxocara canis between 2005 and 2008. We evaluated the location, length, extent and migration of the lesion, MR signal intensity (SI), enhancement pattern, and swelling of the spinal cord. We evaluated clinical features including presenting symptoms and signs and treatment response.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total 8 patients (M=8; age range 36-79 years) were included. The lesions were located in the cervical or thoracic spinal cord in all patients. All lesions showed high SI and minimal or mild swelling of involved spinal cord on T2WI and focal nodular enhancement on posterior or posterolateral segment of spinal cord. The length of involved lesion was relatively short in most patients. There was a migration of lesion in one patient. In spite of albendazole or steroid treatment, neurological symptoms or signs were not significantly improved in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although all lesions show non-specific imaging findings like non-tumorous myelopathy mimicking transverse myelitis, single lesion, focal nodular enhancement on posterior or posterolateral segment of spinal cord, relatively short segmental involvement and migration of lesion may be characteristic findings of spinal VLM of Toxocara canis. In addition, the reluctant response to the treatment may be characteristic of spinal VLM of Toxocara canis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50 Ilwon-dong, Gangnam-Gu, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea. leeinho1974@hanmail.net
authors.forename: In Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Sung Tae
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Dae Kun
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Hyung-Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Keon Ha
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Pyoung
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jeon
authors.forename: Hong Sik
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Byun
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016266:Food Parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007816:Larva Migrans, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000635:transmission; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017166:Toxocara canis