Intramedullary cysticercosis

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis is one of the most common parasitic diseases of the central nervous system. However, spinal involvement is rare. Here, we report the case of a 28-year-old man with intramedullary cysticercosis in the cervical spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine with contrast showed a well-defined, peripherally enhancing intramedullary cyst at C3 spinal cord level producing significant perilesional edema with expansion of the cord. Because the patient had progressive neurological deficits, surgery was performed. Pathological examination of the removed lesion proved it to be cysticercosis..

Keywords

• cysticercosis
• intramedullary
• spinal cord