MRI findings of spinal visceral larva migrans of Toxocara canis.
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.
Lee
In Ho
IH
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
Kim
Sung Tae
ST
Oh
Dae Kun
DK
Kim
Hyung-Jin
HJ
Kim
Keon Ha
KH
Jeon
Pyoung
P
Byun
Hong Sik
HS
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