[Diagnosis and treatment of cerebral schistosomiasis: a report of 166 cases].

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of cerebral schistosomiasis.

METHODS

A total of 166 patients with cerebral schistosomiasis were treated, and their clinical data were collected and analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In 166 cases of cerebral schistosomiasis, the confirmative diagnoses of 156 cases were diagnosed according to the clinical manifestation, etiology, immunology and auxiliary examination (CT, MRI). In among, 74 cases were confirmed by pathological examination, 10 cases were diagnosed through to the diagnostic treatment. Totally 102 patients received the oral medication of praziquantel, and they all improved and discharged 14-16 days later; 64 patients received the craniotomy and praziquantel medication after the operation, and 48 patients significantly improved, others did not improve or aggravated. There was no operative mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Neuroimaging and laboratory tests are valuable in the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis. The praziquantel treatment is selected firstly when the diagnosis was established. However, in the case of serious intracranial hypertension, intractable epilepsy and praziquantel treatment fails, the surgical treatment is required.