Background: Spinal infection with sparganosis is rarely seen, and multiple spinal infections with sparganosis in the thoracic spine have not been reported.
Case summary: In this case report, a 56-year old male patient suffered from back pain for 3 mo. Computed tomography examination of the thoracic spine showed bone destruction of the T4-5 vertebral body, as well as the right pedicle and lamina of T5. Magnetic resonance imaging showed high signals on T2W1 images and fat-suppressed images in the right vertebral body of T4-5 and the right pedicle and lamina of T5, a high signal in the vertebral canal, and similar high signals in the paravertebral and subcutaneous regions of the whole spine. Puncture biopsy showed sparganosis. Following definite diagnosis, the patient was treated with debridement of T4-5 infected lesions under a microscope, bone grafting and internal fixation. Postoperatively, the patient's back pain symptoms were significantly relieved; the incision healed after one-stage treatment, and albendazole antiparasitic treatment was administered.
Conclusion: Puncture biopsy is the most reliable method to diagnose infection by sparganum. Removal of infected lesions under the microscope and albendazole for antiparasitic treatment are safe and effective.
Keywords: Case report; Infection; Sparganosis; Spine.
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