A Case of Intradural-Extramedullary Form of Primary Spinal Cysticercosis Misdiagnosed as an Arachnoid Cyst
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
;
: 226-229, 2014.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-114085
ABSTRACT
We describe a rare case of intradural-extramedullary primary spinal cysticercosis. A 42-year-old man visited our institute for lower back pain. He denied having consumed raw meet. Magnetic resonance (MR) images revealed an intradural pure cystic mass at the L3-L4 level. A radiologic diagnosis of spinal arachnoid cyst was established. Three years later, he complained of aggravated back pain, and follow-up MR examination showed a markedly expanded cyst, occupying the subarachnoid space from the T11 to the S1 level. L2 hemilaminectomy was performed, and a yellowish infected cyst bulged out through the dural opening. The cyst was removed en bloc. The histopathological findings of the cyst were consistent with parasitic infection. Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the presence of spinal cysticercosis. As there was no intracranial lesion, the final diagnosis was primary spinal cysticercosis, which is very rare. MR imaging is a sensitive diagnostic tool for detecting cystic lesions in the spine; however, it is difficult to distinguish cysticercosis from non-infectious cysts such as an arachnoid cyst without using gadolinium enhancement. Clinicians treating spinal cysts with an unusual clinical course should include cysticercosis as a differential diagnosis. We recommend contrast-enhanced MR imaging and serum ELISA in the diagnostic work-up of such cases.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Arachnoid
/
Spine
/
Subarachnoid Space
/
Cysticercosis
/
Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
/
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
/
Follow-Up Studies
/
Low Back Pain
/
Back Pain
/
Neurocysticercosis
Type of study:
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
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