Paraparesia secundaria a hidatidosis paravertebral / Paraparesis secondary to paravertebral hidatidosis

La hidatidosis es una zoonosis causada por la fase larval del Echinoccocus. Afecta principalmente a la región mediterránea, Sudamérica, África, Medio-Oriente, Australia y Nueva Zelanda. Afecta principalmente al hígado y al pulmón, aunque puede comprometer cualquier parte del cuerpo ya sea, por inoculación primaria o diseminación secundaria. Se presenta el caso de paciente de 54 años, sexo masculino, con antecedentes de hidatidosis pulmonar izquierda y abdominal subdiafragmática, diagnosticada hace 33 años. Ingresa por cuadro de paraparesia progresiva de extremidades inferiores, disminución de sensibilidad a la altura de T12 y lumbalgia sin otros signos ni síntomas asociados. La Tomografía axial computada mostró lesión tumoral paravertebral izquierda con signos de infiltración y destrucción de costilla y vértebra T12 a nivel de lámina y pediculo izquierdo, junto con lesión de 12 cm paravertebral anterior, con ingreso de quiste a lúmen aórtico, entre T4 y T6. Resonancia nuclear magnética muestra invasión hacia canal medular con signos de compresión. Se realizó laminectomía descompresiva con evacuación de vesículas. La evolución posterior es satisfactoria con recuperación de su paraparesia, logrando la bipedestación a los pocos días. Si bien el compromiso vertebral es raro, este se puede manifestar con dolor y síntomas secundarios a la compresión medular como paraparesia o paraplejia, déficit sensorial, reflejos osteotendíneos alterados, disfunción esfintérica y síndrome de cauda equina. Imágenes como tomografía axial computada y resonancia nuclear magnética, son necesarias para un efectivo diagnóstico y monitorización de la hidatidosis. El tratamiento de elección es la descompresión quirúrgica asociado a antihelmínticos para evitar la recurrencia.

The hydatid disease is a zoonoses caused by Echinoccocus’s larvae stage. The most affected regions are Meditarranea, South America, Africa, Mid West, Australia and New Zealand. Mostly infects the liver and the lungs, but any part of the body can be affected, by primary inoculation or dissemination. We present a case of a 54 years old, male patient, with 33 years history of pulmonary and abdominal hydatid disease. He is hospitalized for progressive paraparesia of lower limbs, paresthesia T12 root nerve and low back pain. Without any other symptoms. The CT scan shows a left paravertebral mass with infiltration signs and destruction of T12 vertebra and rib, and a 12 cm anterior paravertebral tumor with aorta invasion. Magnetic resonance imaging shows invasion of the spinal canal. Descompressive laminectomy was made with evacuation of the vesicles. Patient shows a satisfactory evolution, with a complete recovery of paresthesia and be able to walk. The vertebral hydatid disease is rare, but can be manifested by pain and medular compression symptoms, such a paraparesia, paresthesis, altered tendon reflexes, sphincter dysfunction and cauda equina syndrome. Imaging such a CT scan and Magnetic resonance imaging, are necesary for an effective diagnosis and monitoring of the disease. The treatment of choice is the surgical descompression with the use of antihelminthics in order to prevent the recurrence.

Non traumatic paraparesis: aetiological, clinical and radiological profile.

AIM OF STUDY: To study the aetiological and clinical profile of non traumatic paraparesis and radiological correlation with newer aids of diagnosis like CT scan, MRI. METHODOLOGY: Forty cases of non traumatic paraparesis admitted at Sri Sayaji General Hospital, Baroda were studied. The clinical, laboratory data and radiological features were analyzed. RESULTS: Spinal tuberculosis was commonest cause (30%) of paraparesis followed by acute transverse myelitis (20%) and then by primary spinal cord tumours (10%). Incidence of paraparesis was highest (32.5%) in third decade. Backache (75%), parasthesias (62.5%) were common symptoms accompanying paraparesis. Spasticity was present in 57.5% patients. Myelography showed block in 58.5% patients. CT scan following myelography exactly delineated the primary spinal cord tumours and confirmed diagnosis in spinal TB, arachnoid cysts and other compressive myelopathies. MRI, showed plaques of demyelination in two patients, and epidermoid cyst in one patient. CONCLUSION: Tuberculosis of the spine was the commonest cause of paraparesis followed by acute transverse myelitis. CT scan and MRI are important diagnostic aids in patients of paraparesis.