A rare case of disseminated cysticercosis

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a common tropical disease. One of the uncommon manifestations and a rare complication is its disseminated form (DCC). Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. Human cysticercosis is caused by the dissemination of the embryo of Taenia solium in the intestine via the hepatoportal system to the tissues and organs of the body. The organs most commonly affected are the subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles, lungs, brain, eyes, liver, and occasionally the heart, thyroid, and pancreas. Widespread dissemination of the cysticerci can result in the involvement of almost any organ in the body. We report here a case of a 36-year-old-male with disseminated cysticercosis. He visited our hospital with symptoms of multiple palpable nodules, dementia, and confusion. After the investigations he was diagnosed with disseminated cysticercosis involving the brain, subcutaneous tissues all over the body, and the skeletal muscles. The patient was initially treated with Albendazole in a private hospital, but there was no response. Then he was treated with Praziquantel and steroids.

Keywords: Disseminated cysticercosis; Neurocysticercosis; cysticercosis.

Figure 1

Clinical photograph showing multiple, subcutaneous, nodular lesions over the forearm

Figure 2

Clinical photograph showing multiple nodular lesions over chest wall and abdomen

Figure 3

CT scan of the brain showing multiple scattered lesions of cysticercosis throughout the brain parenchyma, with some showing eccentric calcification

Figure 4

A biloculated, thin-walled cyst containing watery fluid and a tiny white area in the center

Figure 5

Histopathology of a subcutaneous forearm nodule, showing encysted larva of the cysticercus surrounded by a chronic inflammatory infiltrate and giant-cell reaction (H and E, × 100)