Schistosomiasis of spinal cord.

Abstract

The case is reported of a 14-month-old child admitted to hospital in Kenya with a 6-week history of progressive weakness of both lower limbs and urinary incontinence following an acute febrile illness. A thoraco-lumbar laminectomy from T12 to L1 revealed a swollen spinal cord at L1. A median myelotomy revealed a firm granulomatous mass. Ova characteristic of Schistosoma mansoni were seen. Removal of the granuloma resulted in return of motor function.