Isolated soft tissue cysticercosis involving the trunk in children: report of 4 cases

Abstract

Isolated soft tissue cysticercosis of the trunk in the absence of concurrent central nervous system involvement is uncommon and may be difficult to diagnose. We report 4 such cases in the pediatric age group. Preoperative diagnosis of soft tissue cysticercosis was considered only in 1 patient, the rest were diagnosed only after biopsy. Complete excision (without rupture) was done. All of them underwent a CT scan head along with ophthalmic examination to rule out the more common sites of occurrence of cysticercosis. No further treatment was undertaken as the evaluation was negative. In endemic areas like ours we must suspect this entity not only in the limb muscles, but also in the subcutaneous tissues of the trunk. If diagnosed accurately, it can be treated medically, eliminating the need for surgery.

Keywords: Cysticercosis; Parasitic cyst; Taenia solium.

Figure 1: Photomicrograph showing cysticercus larval body stained by a) Hematoxylin and Eosin (x 40) and b) High power view Hematoxylin and Eosin (x 200)