Cysticercus cellulosae lies in the eyes of the beholder

Proposition of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology as a Diagnostic Tool in Cases of Cysticercosis by

“…Cysticercosis seems to be predominantly a disease of the young as the mean age in the study by Adhikari et al 11 was 26.4 years, whereas Handa et al 8 showed cysticercosis to be the commonest in the first 3 decades of life. Supporting the same was another study by Kodiatte et al 15 where the mean age at diagnosis was 25.77 ± 20.81 years.…”

“…This finding was largely similar to another study where most cases yielded a clear fluid as well (38 of 125), 8 with yet another study revealing that almost all the cases yielded a few drops of clear, pearly white fluid with chalky membranous pieces which were difficult to spread on the slide (29 of 30). 15 These findings point toward a common trend of a clear fluid-like aspirate in most of these cases, which could thus be an indicator of a parasitic infection; nevertheless, a purulent and hemorrhagic aspirate does not rule out the possibility of a parasitic infection, as this was also seen in a significant number of cases. 8 This was supported by the findings by Gill et al where 7 cases (7 of 22) yielded a clear fluid.…”

“…14 In some other studies within the subcontinent, tuberculous lymphadenitis was the commonest clinical diagnosis, given the heavy burden of tuberculosis in the region. 15 Some cases in our study were also correctly diagnosed as having cysticercosis (4 of 24); however, these were cases in which a radiological diagnosis suggestive of cysticercosis by USG had already been given.…”

“…14 This differs from another study done in Nepal where hooklets were seen in none of the cases. 11 However, in a study by Handa et al, 8 hooklets were seen in only 1 case among 125 cases, and Kodiatte et al 15 found hooklets in just 1 case as well. This indicates the rarity of finding hooklets of cysticercus in cytological specimens.…”

Hidden parasite-shadow helps in seeking

“…by Kodiatte et al with interest. [1] We just wanted to add that imageological findings also may help in certain cases to arrive at a definitive diagnosis. As stated by them, indeed, in most instances, there is no clinical suspicion of cysticercosis.…”