Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report
Spinal schistosomiasis, a rare manifestation of schistosomal infection, can closely mimic the presentation of spinal cord tumors and pose significant diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy from northern Ethiopia who experienced progressive back pain, tingling sensations in h...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Radiology Case Reports |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324013736 |
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| author | Gashaw Arega Leul Adane Eden Mekonnen Michael A. Negussie |
| author_facet | Gashaw Arega Leul Adane Eden Mekonnen Michael A. Negussie |
| author_sort | Gashaw Arega |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Spinal schistosomiasis, a rare manifestation of schistosomal infection, can closely mimic the presentation of spinal cord tumors and pose significant diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy from northern Ethiopia who experienced progressive back pain, tingling sensations in his lower extremities, and intermittent fever. Initially referred with a presumptive diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma for pediatric hematology-oncology evaluation, his marked eosinophilia and history of swimming in local rivers raised suspicion for spinal schistosomiasis. Upon review by a neuroradiologist, an MRI revealed a long-segment expansion of the spinal cord from T10 to L2, showing heterogenous enhancement on T1-weighted postcontrast images and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted images. Furthermore, the patient's Schistosoma mansoni IgG titer was elevated, strongly supporting the diagnosis. Treatment was initiated with praziquantel and corticosteroids, leading to a notable improvement in his symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections like schistosomiasis in regions where they are endemic, particularly when spinal pathologies may resemble neoplastic conditions. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to preventing long-term neurological damage. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ef88bfcd8f7641b58f63bbc30d2f8ebd |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1930-0433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Radiology Case Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-ef88bfcd8f7641b58f63bbc30d2f8ebd2025-01-18T05:04:06ZengElsevierRadiology Case Reports1930-04332025-03-0120317171720Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case reportGashaw Arega0Leul Adane1Eden Mekonnen2Michael A. Negussie3Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Division of Hematology and Oncology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaDepartment of Diagnostic Radiology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaSchool of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.Spinal schistosomiasis, a rare manifestation of schistosomal infection, can closely mimic the presentation of spinal cord tumors and pose significant diagnostic challenges. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy from northern Ethiopia who experienced progressive back pain, tingling sensations in his lower extremities, and intermittent fever. Initially referred with a presumptive diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma for pediatric hematology-oncology evaluation, his marked eosinophilia and history of swimming in local rivers raised suspicion for spinal schistosomiasis. Upon review by a neuroradiologist, an MRI revealed a long-segment expansion of the spinal cord from T10 to L2, showing heterogenous enhancement on T1-weighted postcontrast images and hyperintense signals on T2-weighted images. Furthermore, the patient's Schistosoma mansoni IgG titer was elevated, strongly supporting the diagnosis. Treatment was initiated with praziquantel and corticosteroids, leading to a notable improvement in his symptoms. This case highlights the importance of considering parasitic infections like schistosomiasis in regions where they are endemic, particularly when spinal pathologies may resemble neoplastic conditions. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to preventing long-term neurological damage.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324013736SchistosomiasisSchistosoma mansoniEosinophiliaCase report |
| spellingShingle | Gashaw Arega Leul Adane Eden Mekonnen Michael A. Negussie Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report Radiology Case Reports Schistosomiasis Schistosoma mansoni Eosinophilia Case report |
| title | Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report |
| title_full | Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report |
| title_fullStr | Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report |
| title_full_unstemmed | Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report |
| title_short | Spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12-year-old male adolescent: A case report |
| title_sort | spinal schistosomiasis masquerading as spinal cord tumor in a 12 year old male adolescent a case report |
| topic | Schistosomiasis Schistosoma mansoni Eosinophilia Case report |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1930043324013736 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT gashawarega spinalschistosomiasismasqueradingasspinalcordtumorina12yearoldmaleadolescentacasereport AT leuladane spinalschistosomiasismasqueradingasspinalcordtumorina12yearoldmaleadolescentacasereport AT edenmekonnen spinalschistosomiasismasqueradingasspinalcordtumorina12yearoldmaleadolescentacasereport AT michaelanegussie spinalschistosomiasismasqueradingasspinalcordtumorina12yearoldmaleadolescentacasereport |