Cervical spine intramedullary cysticercosis in a young adult - a case report and literature review

Abstract

Neurocysticercosis, is the most common central nervous system parasitic infestation worldwide, but spinal involvement by neurocysticercosis is relatively rare. Here we report a case of 18-year-old male patient with intramedullary cysticercosis caused by Tenia soleum in cervical spinal cord. MRI revealed expansile illdefined intramedullary mass at C4 and C5 vertebral level which believed to be a tumor instead, rather than a cysticercosis preoperatively. surgery was performed to decompress the spinal cord. Histopathological examination of removed lesion confirmed it as cysticercosis.