Schistoma haematobium – MRI of spinal cord involvement

Spinal involvement is rarely observed during schistosomiasis, but may be severe if diagnosis is delayed. Typical clinical picture includes symptoms of progressive compression myelitis, namely anesthesia dolorosa and muscular spasms, followed by paralysis, especially of the sphincters. Lesion is often localized at L3-L4 level. Epidemiological interrogation finds a history of contact with freshwater in endemic areas, and blood count may show an eosinophilia.