Histopathologic study on human sparganosis

Abstract

Based on 16 cases of human sparganosis, a histopathological study was made. There was a striking similarity among histological features of sparganosis involving different tissues. The histological change of the affected tissues was characterized by a necrotizing and granulomatous inflammation with or without worm parasite in the lesions. There was also a remarkable polymorphonuclear leukocytic mobilization, predominantly of eosinophils, plasma cells and lymphocytes in and near the lesions. Tunnel formation lined by palisading histiocytes was another charateristic feature of the host tissue reaction. These findings were quite distinguishable from those of cysticercosis which were more localized and self-limited. Several features that were prominent in section slides of sparganum worm parasite were also noted. Laminated calcospherules found in the cytoplasm of the proliferating macrophages and giant cells were of diagnostic value of sparganosis in the absence of the worm, particularly when these were accompanied with tunnel-like lesion in the host tissue.

A case of sparganosis mimicking a varicose vein

“…Laminated calcospherules in the cytoplasm of proliferating macrophages and giant cells are of diagnostic value if no sparganum worm is present in a lesion (Chi, 1980). The present sparganosis case mimicked a varicose vein in terms of clinical manifestations and radiological findings.…”

Cerebral Sparganosis: The Differential Features between Live and Degenerated Worms on CT and MR Images

“…On the microscopic findings of our surgical specimens, granulomas were formed just around the fragmented body of the worm. The worm was surrounded by a dense collagenous wall and next to the collagenous wall there was a zone of granulation tissue in which many newly formed capillaries and infiltrated macrophages and lymphocytes were found (2,3). This highly vascular granulation tissue zone is presumably reflected by contrast enhancement (12,13).…”

“…Human cerebral sparganosis is a rare parasitic disease that is caused by a migrating plerocercoid larva (sparganum) of the genus Spirometra (1)(2)(3). This disease has been reported worldwide, but it is most common in East Asia (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9).…”

“…This disease has been reported worldwide, but it is most common in East Asia (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9). The CT and MR imaging features of cerebral sparganosis have been well described (10)(11)(12)(13)(14).…”

Intramuscular and subcutaneous sparganosis: Sonographic findings

“…The most common location of sparganosis is the subcutaneous tissue, 5,6 though it has rarely been documented in the radiologic literature as the diagnosis has been established at surgery with identification of the larval worm in the excised tissue.…”