NEUROCYSTICERCOSIS !!! A case report of a young boy who died of disseminated cysticercosis.
Neurocysticercosis is a preventable parasitic infection of the Central Nervous System, caused by Taenia Solium (pork tapeworm). The worm enters the body when undercooked pork is ingested or water containing the parasite is consumed. The larvae of pork tapeworm build up and continue to multiply in the brain, eyes as well as muscles. If not treated timely, it can develop into disseminated cysticercosis and can cause death. Below is a case of an 18-year-old male who came to the Emergency Department with generalized tonic-clonic seizures with a history of pain in the right inguinal region for the past 1 week. A general physical examination was conducted which concluded that the patient was confused with tenderness in the right-sided testis, accompanied by swelling around the right eye. MRI head was done immediately, which showed multiple cystic lesions with well-defined borders. All the areas of the brain were involved, including the cerebral cortex, brainstem, and cerebellum. Ultrasonography of the right eye and right testis also showed innumerable cystic nodules. All the findings suggested a diagnosis of disseminated cysticercosis which was later confirmed by Western Blot and ELIZA. Due to the high cyst burden, antiparasitic medications were not administered as it can worsen the inflammation and intensify the cerebral edema. Moreover, increased inflammation with ocular lesions can cause permanent loss of vision. Antiepileptic medications and dexamethasone were administered but unfortunately, the patient died after 2 weeks.
Acc to the history the patient was unaware of his condition of having worms.