Schistosomiasis of the spinal cord--underdiagnosed in South Africa?
Joubert, J.; Fripp, P.J.; Hay, I.T.; Davel, G.H.; van Graan, E.S.
South African Medical Journal 77(6): 297-299
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0256-9574 PMID: 2107582 Document Number: 359422
Schistosomiasis is endemic in many areas of South Africa, particularly the northern and eastern Transvaal. At Ga-Rankuwa Hospital in the northern Transvaal, 30 km north-west of Pretoria, spinal cord disease is common. In a substantial proportion of these cases no obvious cause for the condition can be found. In an attempt to draw attention to schistosomiasis as a possibly underdiagnosed cause of spinal cord disease, 3 cases of schistosomiasis of the spinal cord seen over a period of 3 years are reported. These 3 patients had histological evidence of spinal schistosomiasis. Because myelography of the spinal cord is often non-contributory in schistosomal involvement, it is suggested that patients with 'myelopathy of unknown origin' who come from an endemic area be given a therapeutic trial of praziquantel, especially if the serological findings are positive for schistosomiasis and the lower cord is involved.