{"id":"6fac0558-52be-437b-b6bb-8cd4d16c4a58","slug":"a-case-of-cerebral-sparganosis-diagnosed-by-surgical-resection-and-molecular-analysis","title":"A case of cerebral sparganosis diagnosed by surgical resection and molecular analysis","authors":["Ryo Miyahara","Osamu Akiyama","Naoko Yoshida","Mai Suzuki","Karin Ashizawa","Takuma Kodama","Yuzaburo Shimizu","Akihide Kondo"],"abstract":"Background: Sparganosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by the plerocercoid larvae (spargana) of Spirometra species. Central nervous system (CNS) involvement is uncommon; cerebral sparganosis can be particularly challenging to diagnose because its clinical presentation and imaging features often mimic those of more common parasitic infections (e.g., neurocysticercosis) or neoplastic lesions. Case Description: A 74-year-old woman with slowly progressive Alzheimer’s disease, who had undergone regular brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations over the past three years, was incidentally found to have a slowly enlarging lesion with surrounding edema in the left frontal lobe on MRI of the brain. The lesion demonstrated calcification and radiological features atypical for a neoplastic process, thus prompting a left frontal craniotomy for diagnostic purposes. Intraoperatively, a whitish, linear structure was removed. Frozen section revealed granulomatous inflammation with parasitic structures. Molecular biological analysis identified the specimen as a Spirometra larva (Type I), confirming the diagnosis of cerebral sparganosis. Postoperatively, her baseline cognitive impairment persisted; however, follow-up MRI at 1 month demonstrated resolution of the enhancing lesion, and no new neurological deficits occurred. Conclusion: Cerebral sparganosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions with a tumor-like appearance. Although the diagnosis remains challenging, molecular techniques permit definitive confirmation. Surgical resection serves a dual role, facilitating both accurate diagnosis and treatment.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/6fac0558-52be-437b-b6bb-8cd4d16c4a58/featured/hero-1781558133637.png","publishDate":"2025-12-05T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1111_2025","categories":["Infection","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/14129/SNI-16-512.pdf"}