Oral cysticercosis: report of two cases with review of literature

Abstract

Cysticercosis is the result of infestation with the larval stage of the tapeworm (Taenia solium). Cysticercosis is a potentially fatal parasitic disease when involving the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis). This article reports two cases of oral cysticercosis and reviews 133 reported cases in English language literature. The prevalence of oral cysticercosis was 3.5% out of 769 cases of cysticercosis. Tongue is the most commonly affected site followed by buccal mucosa and lower lip. Most oral lesions appeared as asymptomatic submucosal nodules. Multiple oral involvements have been reported in few cases. Both genders were nearly equally affected. Fine needle aspiration cytology has also been used for preoperative diagnosis. The definitive diagnosis was done histopathologically. Simple surgical excision was sufficient to ensure complete removal. It is important to carry out a detailed medical evaluation in every case, in order to exclude the presence of the parasite at other sites. Medical treatment with antihelminthics drugs such as Praziquantel and Albendazole used for multiple involvement and neurocysticercosis.

Isolated cysticercosis of tongue: A case report

“…The possibility of a parasitic lesion was not considered by the treating physician and it was only after FNAC which suggested the possibility of cysticercosis, further investigations and treatment was carried out. The FNAC, as a pre‐operative diagnostic tool in oral cysticercosis, has been reported in literature . However, in most of the case reports of lingual cysticercosis the diagnosis was established only after histopathological examination .…”

A solitary facial nodular swelling – A case report of intramuscular cysticercosis in buccinator muscle

“…Superficial cysticerci and solitary asymptomatic nodule of oral cysticercosis were managed by simple surgical excision and the periodic follow up [15] .…”

Oral helminthic infestations

“…Oral cysticercosis is mainly encountered in patients from endemic areas in their third or fourth decades of life, and mostly presents as a solitary, painless submucosal nodule resembling a mucocele. In humans, oral cysticercosis corresponds to 1.7–5.2% of cases reported . The tongue is the most commonly‐affected oral site (Figure ), followed by the buccal mucosa and the lower lip .…”

“…Oral lesions of cysticercosis are effectively managed by surgical excision. Patients with disseminated disease are usually managed with antihelminthics, such as praziquantel and albendazole, with adjuvant corticosteroids to counteract the development of reaction syndromes after the death of larvae, and anticonvulsants to prevent seizures in neurocysticercosis …”

“…In humans, oral cysticercosis corresponds to 1.7-5.2% of cases reported. [14][15][16][17] The tongue is the most commonly-affected oral site ( Figure 2), followed by the buccal mucosa and the lower lip. 13,18 Multiple oral lesions have been reported.…”