🧀 Cysticercosis, Cheese on the Brain

MRI showing a “Swiss Cheese” 🧀 pattern in the brain 🧠 💀⁣

🦠 Cysticercosis is an infection of the parasite Taenia solium. This infection occurs after a person swallows tapeworm eggs. The larvae get into various tissues but when cysts are found in the brain, the condition is called neurocysticercosis - as seen in the case above ⁣

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🐍 Humans are infected with the tapeworm after eating raw or undercooked pork contaminated with cysts of T. solium ⁣

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🐖 Cysticercosis is found most often in rural areas of developing countries where pigs are allowed to roam freely and eat human feces and where hygiene practices are poor. ⁣

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Signs and symptoms ⁣

💪🏻 Cysts in the muscles - tender lumps under skin ⁣

👁 Cysts in the eyes - blurred vision and eye infections ⁣

🧠Neurocysticercosis (cysts in the brain, spinal cord) ⁣

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Depend upon where and how many cysts are found in the brain. Seizures and headaches are the most common symptoms. Other symptoms include confusion, difficulty with balance. This can be fatal. ⁣

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💉 Diagnosis may require blood tests and/or imaging studies ⁣

🧠 Diagnosis of neurocysticercosis is usually made by MRI or CT brain scans ⁣

💊 Infections are generally treated with anti-parasitic drugs in combination with anti-inflammatory drugs. Surgery is sometimes necessary to treat cysts ⁣

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🔸 Wash your hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before handling food ⁣

🔸 Educate children on washing hands ⁣

🔸 Wash and peel all raw vegetables and fruits before eating ⁣

🔸 Use appropriate food and water safety practices while traveling in developing countries ⁣

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Case courtesy of Dr Antonio Rodrigues de Aguiar Neto/ Radiopaedia.org ⁣

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