Stereotactic Removal of Intracerebral Sparganum: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Intracerebral sparaganosis, caused by the Plerocercoid of Spirometa mansoni, is very rare. A 54-yeas-old man, who has a history of having eaten raw frogs and snakes 20 years ago, was admitted with 2 years duration of focal seizure and monoparesis on right upper extremity. The brain CT scan and MRI demonstrated extensive and irregular hypodense lesion with punctate calcification in subcortical region of left parietal lobe. A whitish ribbon-like moving parasite could be picked up using CRW stereotactic frame under local anesthesia. On pathological examination was disclosed a sparganum with characteristic calcospherule. Also, preoperative ELISA test for sparganum-specific antibody(IgG) showed positive reaction to sparganum absorbance 1.04 in serum and 0.61 in CSF, respectively(normal abs. below 0.22). Immediately after removal of parasite, the seizure and motor weakness disappeared. Stereotactic removal of cerebral sparganum can be considered a useful method in selected patients.