[Pure spinal cysticercosis. Note on the cerebrospinal fluid].

Abstract

A patient from Benin experienced bilateral sciatic pain, followed by a progressive sensori-motor defect of the lower limbs. Five years after, he displayed symptoms and signs of a thoracic spinal cord compression, but no definite level could be determined. Myelography showed numerous intrathecal cysts from the cauda equina to the cervical cord. The diagnosis of cysticercosis was made by examination of the cysts removed after lumbar laminectomy. The search for another localisation of the parasite was negative. Repeated examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed the presence of eosinophils, a high protein concentration, and a local synthesis of immunoglobulin G with an oligoclonal profile on electrophoresis. An accidental cyst punction revealed a fluid with protein migration in the alpha, beta and gamma ranges and a local synthesis of immunoglobulin A. Treatment with Praziquantel was uneffective.