Acute paraplegia due to schistosomiasis: an uncommon cause in developed countries.
Anthony ChauvinAiham GhazaliClaire Le JeunnePatrick PlaisanceTali Anne SzwebelNathalie Costedoat-ChalumeauFrederic BeubonPeggy ReinerAndré PaugamRomain PaulePublished in: Journal of neurovirology (2019)
We present a case of a young African migrant from Guinea-Conakry presented to a French emergency department with burning pain in both feet for 2 days. The symptoms progressed to limb paraparesis with sphincter disorders. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan showed a hyperintense spinal cord lesion without contrast enhancement extending from the T6 vertebrae to the conus medullaris. Cerebrospinal fluid exam (CFE) showed an isolated hyperproteinorachia (0.61 g/l). Schistosomiasiss serology was positive and a rectal biopsy showed a schistosoma egg surrounded by an inflammatory reaction with granulomatosis. After steroid and antihelminthic therapy, accompanied by intensive physical therapy, the patient had an improved neurological neurological outcome.
Keyphrases
- magnetic resonance imaging
- contrast enhanced
- emergency department
- spinal cord
- cerebrospinal fluid
- computed tomography
- neuropathic pain
- chronic pain
- liver failure
- magnetic resonance
- diffusion weighted imaging
- case report
- oxidative stress
- spinal cord injury
- drug induced
- respiratory failure
- middle aged
- intensive care unit
- aortic dissection
- sleep quality
- adverse drug
- stem cells
- fine needle aspiration
- cell therapy
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
- smoking cessation