Isolated cysticercosis of the cauda equina

Address for correspondence: Dr. Maurizio Iacoangeli Clinica di Neurochirurgia, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona Via Conca #71, I – 60020,Torrette di Ancona, Italy neurotra@tiscali.it

Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice

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Abstract

ABSTRACT

Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It is an endemic condition in developing countries, but the incidence rate is increasing in developed countries as well because of rising immigration. Spinal involvement is quite rare and it is usually associated with concomitant intracranial infective lesions. We present an unusual case of a 44-year-old woman who experienced a cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed two intradural cystic lesions at L4-L5 level. Only after histological examination the diagnosis of cysticercosis was definitively determined. The entire neuraxis evaluation confirmed that it was a rare form of isolated intradural racemosus type cysticercosis of the cauda equina. Steroids and albendazole were administered and post-operative course was uneventful. In this paper we discuss clinical, pathogenic and therapeutic aspects of this infective pathology.

Keywords

Cauda equina syndrome

isolated spinal cysticercosis

neurocysticercosis

parasitic infection

racemosus type

taenia solium

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Conflict of Interest

None declared

References

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[1] Choi K. B., Hwang B. W., Choi W. G., Lee S. H., . Herniated lumbar disc combined with spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis. J Korean Neurosurg Soc. 2010;48:547-50.
[Google Scholar]

[2] Colli B. O., Valença M. M., Carlotti C. G., Machado H. R., Assirati J. A., . Spinal cord cysticercosis: Neurosurgical aspects. Neurosurg Focus. 2002;12:1-7.
[Google Scholar]

[3] Paterakis K. N., Kapsalaki E, Hadjigeorgiou G. M., Barbanis S, Fezoulidis I, Kourtopoulos H, . Primary spinal intradural extramedullary cysticercosis. Surg Neurol. 2007;68:309-12.
[Google Scholar]

[4] Jang J. W., Lee J. K., Lee J. H., Seo B. R., Kim S. H., . Recurrent primary spinal subarachnoid neurocysticercosis. Spine. 2010;35:E172-5.
[Google Scholar]

[5] Jongwutiwes U, Yanagida T, Ito A, Kline S. E., . Isolated intradural-extramedullary spinal cysticercosis: A case report. J Travel Med. 2011;18:284-7.
[Google Scholar]

[6] Martinez H. R., Rangel-Guerra R, Arredondo-Estrada J. H., Marfil A, Onofre J, . Medical and surgical treatment in neurocysticercosis a magnetic resonance study of 161 cases. J Neurol Sci. 1995;130:25-34.
[Google Scholar]

[7] Radek A, Karbownik J, Zapalowicz K, . Intradural spinal cysticercosis provoking radicular symptoms. Neurol Neurochir Pol. 2000;34:783-90.
[Google Scholar]

[8] Rossitti S. L., Roth-Vargas A. A., Moreira A. R., Sperlescu A, Araújo J. F., Balbo R. J., . Pure spinal leptomeningeal cysticercosis. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 1990;48:366-70.
[Google Scholar]

[9] Parker F, Hladky J. P., Breton J. O., Mignard C, Laporte J. P., Bousquet C, . Racemous cysticercosis of the cauda equine and cystic arachnoiditis. Apropos of 2 cases. Neurochirurgie. 1988;34:280-5.
[Google Scholar]

[10] Kim K. S., Weinberg P. E., . Spinal Cysticercosis. Surg Neurol. 1985;24:80-2.
[Google Scholar]