Cysticercal Encephalitis in a Young Female: A Rare Presentation of Neurocysticercosis

Cureus. 2023 Jan 18;15(1):e33931. doi: 10.7759/cureus.33931. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Abstract

One of the most frequent parasite infections of the central nervous system is neurocysticercosis. This neurologic condition is caused by Taenia solium (T. solium) larval infestation. Infected pork intake, poor hygiene practices, water tainted with T. solium, or asymptomatic carriers are the main ways of spread. We describe a case of neurocysticercosis in a young woman who presented with low-grade fever, headache, altered sensorium, and recurrent seizures. Computed tomography of the head revealed an inflammatory granuloma and a ring-increased attenuating lesion in the left temporal region. Additionally, a well-defined rounded discrete lesion was identified in the left parietal region on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Even if the symptoms do not initially suggest neurocysticercosis or if the patient lives in a region where the condition is uncommon, our case depicts adding neurocysticercosis to the differential diagnosis for encephalitis.

Keywords: albendazole; dress syndrome; neurocysticercosis; taenia solium; tumour necrosis factor-alpha (tnfα).

Publication types

  • Case Reports