A Rare Case of Cysticercosis Involving the Whole Spinal Canal

Abstract

Background Cysticercosis is the commonest parasitic disease to affect the central nervous system (CNS). However, cysticercosis affecting the spine is extremely rare. We reported a rare case of cysticercosis involving the whole spinal canal in China. Case Presentation A rare case of cysticercosis involving the entire spinal cord, in a 52-year-old Chinese man, was detected in 2021. Epidemiological investigation, clinical and etiological examination was performed. Conclusion Since spinal cysticercosis is a rare but potentially life-threatening disease, clinicians should always consider the differential diagnosis of space-occupying lesions.

Spinal nerve root sleeve cysticercosis: a case report and review of the literature

“…Two possible explanations for the mode of entry of the parasite into the spinal cord have been reported. Most of spinal extramedullary cysticercosis occurred through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dissemination from intracranial CSF space lesions [ 16 ].While rare, isolated spinal intramedullary involvement by neurocysticercosis may occur, probably due to the cysticercus invading the spinal cord through reaching the subarachnoid space from cerebral ventricles, retrograding blood flow by the vertebral and intervertebral veins, or migrating transpinally [ 17 ]. Such differences need to be further explored as the detailed mechanism is still unknown.…”

Mielopatía dorsal aguda como presentación atípica de una neurocisticercosis espinal

“…Su presentación puede ser extraespinal (vertebral) o intraespinal (epidural, subdural, aracnoidea o intramedular) 3 . Su sintomatología es variable por lo que puede causar dificultad diagnóstica y en el tratamiento 4 . Presentamos el caso de una paciente adulta que desarrolló un cuadro de mielopatía aguda asociado a una neurocisticercosis espinal.…”