Disseminated Cysticercosis – Manifested with an Unusual Symptom

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by Taenia solium. It is a major public health problem in developing countries. Infection is acquired through ingestion of undercooked meat containing the cysticercus. Man is the definitive host and pig is the intermediate host. Cysticerci can be found anywhere in the body but are most common detected in brain, eye, skeletal muscle and subcutaneous tissue. One of the uncommon manifestations and a rare complication is its disseminated form. Neurocysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease of the central nervous system. Widespread dissemination of the cysticerci can result in the involvement of almost any organ in the body. We report a case of a 65-year-old person with disseminated cysticercosis (DCC) who had presented to our hospital with pain and swelling in smaller joints of hands and multiple palpable nodules in thighs. Computed tomography brain, whole body magnetic resonance imaging, X-rays and biopsy of the muscle had confirmed the diagnosis of DCC involving the brain, subcutaneous tissue, and skeletal muscles. The patient was treated with the albendazole 400 mg bid, for 30 days along with steroids. There was no history of convulsions in our case even though there was neurocysticercosis. The patients are currently under follow-up without any major complications.

Keywords

• parasitic disease
• cysticercosis
• disseminated.