Acute cerebral paragonimiasis presenting as hemorrhagic stroke in a child

Zhi Chen1, Gang Zhu, Jiangkai Lin

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.

Pediatric Neurology
|July 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Hemorrhagic stroke in children is rarely caused by cerebral paragonimiasis. This case highlights the importance of considering this parasitic infection in endemic areas when diagnosing childhood hemorrhagic strokes.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology

Background:

  • Cerebral paragonimiasis is an uncommon parasitic infection of the brain.
  • Hemorrhagic stroke is a rare presentation of cerebral paragonimiasis in pediatric patients.

Observation:

  • A 9-year-old boy presented with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, initially mimicking a typical stroke.
  • Initial investigations, including magnetic resonance angiography, did not reveal vascular abnormalities.
  • Recurrent symptoms and diagnostic workup, including MRI and serology, confirmed cerebral paragonimiasis.

Findings:

  • The patient's intracerebral hemorrhage was the primary clinical manifestation of acute cerebral paragonimiasis.
  • Diagnosis was established through advanced neuroimaging and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
  • Successful treatment with praziquantel led to gradual recovery.

Implications:

  • Cerebral paragonimiasis should be included in the differential diagnosis of hemorrhagic stroke in children, particularly in endemic regions.
  • Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes in pediatric cerebral paragonimiasis.
  • This case underscores the diverse neurological presentations of parasitic infections in children.

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