SCHISTOSOMAL MYELORADICULOPATHY Meaning and
Definition
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Schistosomal myeloradiculopathy, also known as Schistosoma mansoni-associated myeloradiculopathy (SMR), is a rare neurological disorder caused by chronic infection with the parasitic worm Schistosoma mansoni. The disease mainly affects individuals living in regions where schistosomiasis is endemic, such as sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South America.
The condition is characterized by inflammation and damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots, resulting in a range of symptoms. Common clinical manifestations include lower back pain, weakness or paralysis of the lower limbs, loss of sensation, and urinary and bowel dysfunction. These symptoms are primarily caused by the accumulation of schistosome eggs in the spinal cord, leading to granuloma formation and subsequent spinal cord injury.
Diagnosis of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy requires a combination of clinical history, physical examination, and specialized tests. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can reveal characteristic spinal cord lesions, and examination of cerebrospinal fluid may show signs of inflammation. Serological tests for schistosomiasis can further confirm the presence of the parasitic infection.
Treatment for schistosomal myeloradiculopathy involves a multi-disciplinary approach. Antihelminthic medications, such as praziquantel, are used to eliminate the underlying Schistosoma infection, which in turn can halt the progression of the disease. Symptomatic management, including pain relief, physical therapy, and rehabilitation programs, is crucial for improving quality of life and functional outcomes in affected individuals.
Prevention of schistosomal myeloradiculopathy primarily revolves around the control of schistosomiasis transmission. This includes sanitation measures, access to clean water sources, and mass drug administration in endemic areas. Prompt
Common Misspellings for SCHISTOSOMAL MYELORADICULOPATHY
- achistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- zchistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- xchistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- dchistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- echistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- wchistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- sxhistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- svhistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- sfhistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- sdhistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scgistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scbistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scnistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scjistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scuistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- scyistosomal myeloradiculopathy
- schustosomal myeloradiculopathy
- schjstosomal myeloradiculopathy
- schkstosomal myeloradiculopathy
- schostosomal myeloradiculopathy
Etymology of SCHISTOSOMAL MYELORADICULOPATHY
The word "Schistosomal Myeloradiculopathy" can be broken down into two main parts:
1. Schistosomal: This term is derived from the word "schistosoma", which refers to a genus of parasitic flatworms that cause the disease called schistosomiasis. The word "schistosoma" itself comes from the Greek word "schistos", meaning "split" or "cleaved", and the Greek word "soma", meaning "body". This likely refers to the elongated, flattened body shape of the parasites.
2. Myeloradiculopathy: This term combines two separate medical terms, "myelopathy" and "radiculopathy".
