Cerebral sparganosis: clinical and radiological features of four cases

VernacularTitle:脑裂头蚴病四例临床及影像学特征分析
Author: Jian BAO ; Hui WANG ; Aimin WU ; Zhuang KANG ; Zhengqi LU ; Ying GUO ; Xueqiang HU
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: Spar ganosis; Brain diseases; Magnetic resonance imaging
From: Chinese Journal of Neurology 2010;43(12):869-873
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract: Objective To discuss the diagnosis and treatment of cerebral sparganosis. Methods To summary four cases of cerebral sparganosis, focusing on the clinical course and imaging findings, with the goal of better diagnostic skills. Results All 4 cases had some kind of misdiagnosis and improvement after surgery or parasiticidal pharmacotherapy. Cerebral MRI and CT scans revealed relatively extensive white matter degeneration and focal enhancements. Subsequent scans showed changes in shape and location of the enhanced foci, indicating the migration of sparganum. Pathologic findings of 3 patients who had undergone surgery showed granuloma and sparganum. Conclusions Cerebral sparganosis has relatively special manifestions on imaging, which are of diagnostic value. The spaganum should be as completely removed as possible during surgery.