MR imaging findings in cerebrospinal gnathostomiasis

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Neuroimaging
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Human gnathostomiasis is a parasitic infection primarily caused by the nematode Gnathostoma spinigerum.
• Clinical manifestations vary widely among infected individuals.
• Serological tests are the gold standard for diagnosis, with MR imaging serving as a valuable complementary tool.

Observation:

• Two cases of human gnathostomiasis confirmed via immunoblotting are presented.
• Cervical spinal cord MR imaging revealed enlargement and diffuse high signal intensity, predominantly in gray-white matter regions.
• Brain MR imaging demonstrated hemorrhagic tracts, intracerebral hemorrhages, and diffuse white matter lesions with nodular enhancement.

Findings:

• MR imaging findings correlated with the severity and extent of the parasitic infection.
• The observed neuroimaging features provide insights into the pathological processes of gnathostomiasis in the central nervous system.
• Severe cases of gnathostomiasis showed resistance to treatment.

Implications:

• This study highlights the utility of MR imaging in diagnosing and evaluating the neurological impact of human gnathostomiasis.
• Understanding the characteristic MR imaging findings can aid clinicians in recognizing this parasitic infection.
• Further research into treatment strategies for severe or refractory cases of gnathostomiasis is warranted.