Distinct Forms of Spinal Cysticercosis: A Vietnamese Case Series

Abstract

Introduction: Neurocysticercosis (NCC), a major contributor to the burden of seizure disorders and epilepsy in the world, is one of the most common parasitic infections of the central nervous system, which is usually located in the brain. Medical therapy for NCC should initially cover appropriate symptom control and then the use of antiparasitic agents should be considered. Antiparasitic treatment is of benefit in most cases of viable and degenerating NCC. Nevertheless, cysticercosis of the spinal cord is very uncommon.

Case series: In this article, we recorded 5 cases of extramedullary-intradural lumbar spinal cysticercosis, in which one case displayed cystic lesions in both brain and spine, one case showed an independent cystic lesion in the spine, and three remaining cases showed diffuse lesions in the spinal canal.

Conclusion: Thus, in any case of single or numerous cystic lesions or dispersed lesions entering the spinal canal, spinal cysticercosis should be considered.

Keywords: Neurocysticercosis; magnetic resonance imaging; nervous system infections; parasite; spinal cysticercosis; taenia solium.