Neuroradiology

Sparganosis

disease resulting from infection by the larvae of Spirometra tapeworms in humans, most commonly Spirometra mansonoides. Sparganosis is endemic in some Asiatic and South American areas but it has been reported worldwide. Humans may contract infection by direct contact with domestic (and wild) cats and dogs who are the definitive hosts. Most infections involve the subcutaneous soft tissues or chest, abdominal wall or limb muscles. Involvement of the spine and spinal canal, and of the brain and the orbit occurs occasionally. Pathological findings include focal necrosis along the tortuous tract of migration. In the rare cases where the infection involves the subarachnoid space, the worm induces a granulomatous reaction that encases the organisms and whose appearance may be indistinguishable from other granulomas, including tuberculosis, which is often endemic in the same geographic area.

FS