CT Case 033

There is a partially calcified ring enhancing lesion located in the left parietal lobe.

There is surrounding oedema (just as we saw in Case 1) – the grey-white matter differentiation is enhanced (vasogenic oedema).

This presentation is very suspicious for neurocysticercosis.

This is a parasitic infection caused by ingestion of the eggs from the pork tapeworm Taenia solium.

Taenia solium is endemic in most low-income countries where pigs are raised.

These eggs develop into larval cysts, infecting the brain, muscle and sometimes other tissues.

See life cycle of Taenia solium below.

Note, this is a different entity from the tapeworm infection (also caused by Taenia solium) which only affects the gastrointestinal tract.

Neurocysticercosis is the most common cause of seizures in young adults living in endemic areas (South America, SE Asia and Africa).

The delay between exposure to infection and the onset of symptoms can be up to 30 years. So, the diagnosis should be considered in patients even if they have been living in Australia for many years.

New onset of seizures is the most common presentation. Other presenting symptoms are headache, neurological deficits and altered mental state.

The diagnosis of neurocysticercosis was confirmed with serological testing. This patient was treated with a combination of; anti-epileptics, anti-helminths and short-term steroids.

Bonus learning

It’s a slightly complicated life-cycle. A person gets cysticercosis by swallowing eggs found in the faeces of a person who has an intestinal tapeworm. Therefore, anyone living in the same household with someone who has a tapeworm have a much higher risk of getting cysticercosis than people who don’t.