Korean J Parasitol.  2000 Sep;38(3):167-171. 10.3347/kjp.2000.38.3.167.

A case of chronic cerebral paragonimiasis westermani

• Kang SY
• Kim TK
• Kim TY
• Ha YI
• Choi SW
• Hong SJ

• KMID: 1720319
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2000.38.3.167

Abstract

We report a chronic cerebral paragonimiasis from a 41-year-old Korean man who complains a headache and weakness of left motor neuron components. Magnetic resonance images of the brain revealed conglomerates of multiple ring-like enhancements in temporo-occipital and frontal lobes of the right hemisphere. An intradermal test for paragonimiasis westermani was positive. The patient was born near an endemic area of paragonimiasis and used to eat boiled or grilled freshwater crayfish in his childhood. Nodules in the brain were resected through craniotomies. The eggs of P. westermani were identified pathologically and parasitologically in the calcified necrotic lesions. Examinations on sputum and fecal specimens for the eggs of P. westermani were shown to be negative and a chest radiograph was normal. It is presumed that the brain lesions were formed by P. westermani approximately 30 years ago.

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animal
Brain/parasitology
Brain Diseases/surgery
Brain Diseases/parasitology*
Brain Diseases/diagnosis
Case Report
Chronic Disease
Human
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Paragonimiasis/surgery
Paragonimiasis/parasitology*
Paragonimiasis/diagnosis
Paragonimus/isolation & purification*
Parasite Egg Count
Time Factors