DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.cc.24.00342 ISSN: 2160-3251

Spinal Echinococcosis With Paralysis Successfully Treated With Posterior Stabilization and Antiparasitic Drugs

Takuya Yabumoto, Daisuke Ukeba, Shinya Tanaka, Emi Takakuwa, Zen-ichi Tanei, Katsuhisa Yamada, Tsutomu Endo, Takashi Ohnishi, Hiroyuki Tachi, Hideki Sudo, Masahiko Takahata, Norimasa Iwasaki
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Case:

A 42-year-old woman presented with lateral chest and back pain. She was referred to our hospital after magnetic resonance imaging revealed a thoracic spine lesion. The initial examination revealed no obvious neurological deficits. A biopsy was performed, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blotting confirmed Echinococcus infection. Paralysis and paresthesia developed, and stabilization and albendazole treatment were initiated. Postoperatively, the paralysis improved, and 2 years later, there was no lesion progression or symptom recurrence.

Conclusions:

Lesion resection is ideal for spinal echinococcosis; however, when resection is difficult, posterior stabilization and antiparasitic drugs may be effective.

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