Abstract
Sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by the larvae of Spirometra species, with spinal involvement being exceedingly uncommon. We present the case
of a 46-year-old woman with progressive lower limb weakness, sensory deficits, and
bowel and bladder dysfunction over a 3-month period. Initial magnetic resonance imaging
revealed an abnormal intradural lesion from L2 to S2, along with thoracic spinal cord
edema, raising suspicion for a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF). After referral
to our institution, further imaging ruled out DAVF, and findings suggested arachnoiditis
and radiculitis of the lumbosacral nerve roots. The patient underwent a laminectomy,
revealing inflamed arachnoid membranes and diffuse yellowish-whitish granulation tissue
adherent to the cauda equina, which histopathological analysis confirmed as sparganosis.
Postoperatively, the patient showed improved motor strength, although bowel and bladder
dysfunction persisted. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges of spinal sparganosis,
the need for early surgical intervention, and the importance of considering parasitic
infections in endemic regions.
Keywords
sparganosis - cauda equina syndrome - thoracic spinal cord edema - parasitic infection
- lumbosacral arachnoiditis
