Manson's schistosomiasis presenting as a brain tumor - Case report

Neurological complications arising from schistosomiasis are uncommon, and r eports of Manson's schistosomiasis presenting as an intracerebral mass lesi on are particularly rare. The authors describe the case of a 26-year-old ma n with a 3-month history of headaches and visual abnormalities. He had immi grated to Canada from Brazil 4 years previously. The patient's general phys ical and neurological examinations were unremarkable. Magnetic resonance (M R) imaging revealed an enhancing lesion with surrounding edema and mild mos s effect in the right occipital lobe. A stereotactic brain biopsy demonstra ted intraparenchymal granulomas surrounding Schistosoma masoni eggs. The pa tient's symptoms resolved following treatment with praziquantel and steroid medications; follow-up MR imaging yielded normal findings. This case demon strates that neuroschistosamiasis should be considered when an individual p resenting with an intracerebral mass has lived in a region in which this di sease is endemic.