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Case Reports
. 2013 Aug;4(Suppl 1):S117-9.
doi: 10.4103/0976-3147.116440.

Isolated cysticercosis of the cauda equina

Maurizio Iacoangeli  1 , Elisa Moriconi, Maurizio Gladi, Massimo Scerrati
Affiliations
Case Reports

Isolated cysticercosis of the cauda equina

Maurizio Iacoangeli et al. J Neurosci Rural Pract. 2013 Aug.

Abstract

Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic infection of the central nervous system. It is an endemic condition in developing countries, but the incidence rate is increasing in developed countries as well because of rising immigration. Spinal involvement is quite rare and it is usually associated with concomitant intracranial infective lesions. We present an unusual case of a 44-year-old woman who experienced a cauda equina syndrome. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed two intradural cystic lesions at L4-L5 level. Only after histological examination the diagnosis of cysticercosis was definitively determined. The entire neuraxis evaluation confirmed that it was a rare form of isolated intradural racemosus type cysticercosis of the cauda equina. Steroids and albendazole were administered and post-operative course was uneventful. In this paper we discuss clinical, pathogenic and therapeutic aspects of this infective pathology.

Keywords: Cauda equina syndrome; isolated spinal cysticercosis; neurocysticercosis; parasitic infection; racemosus type; taenia solium.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Preoperative MRI of the lumbar spine documenting two cystic lesions. The upper cyst had a diameter greater than 5 mm. (a) T1 sagittal section. (b) T2 sagittal section. (c) T2 coronal section with evidence of root dislocation (red arrow)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Intraoperative images. (a-c) Exposure of the lesions. (d) Complete removal of the lesions
Figure 3
Figure 3
Macroscopic appearance of the cystic lesions
Figure 4
Figure 4
Photomicrographs of the histopathological specimen, H and E. (a) Original magnification ×200. (b) Original magnification ×400
Figure 5
Figure 5
MRI of the lumbar spine confirmed the absence of local recurrence. (a-c) 3 months follow-up. (d-e) 1 year follow-up
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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