Sparganosis presenting as radiculalgia at the conus medullaris

A 26-year-old female presented with severe lumbodorsal pain and hypesthesia in the right lower extremity. MRI of the spine revealed multiple lesions from L1 to S5; the largest was located at the conus medullaris. Diagnostic exploration revealed caseous, ivory-colored granulation tissue adhered to the conus medullaris and cauda eguina. Results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and histopathological staining were consistent with sparganum infection. Our case report is unique because presentation was with lumbar radiculopathy instead of functional disorders of urination and defecation, atypical presentation for a conus medullaris lesion. Parasitic infection of the spinal cord with sparganosis should be considered when presentation is with signs and symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction of insidious onset.