Soft Tissue Cysticercosis: Diagnosis by Fine-Needle Aspiration

Abstract

Taenia solium infection is endemic in Asia and cysticercosis is not uncommon. The authors report a case of cysticercosis diagnosed by fine needle aspiration using a cell block. The authors believe it to be the first such case so diagnosed.

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology of Cysticercosis

“…The diagnostic role of FNAC in cysticercosis was first described in 1989 by Kung et al, [3]. FNAC is a widely acceptable method and aspiration of clear fluid is a strong indicator of a parasitic infection in a palpable subcutaneous or intramuscular nodule, which provides a clue for the diagnosis of cysticercosis [4].…”

Isolated intramuscular cysticercosis: Clinicopathological features, diagnosis and management – A review

“…40,41 However modern imaging techniques have obviated the need for a formal histologic confirmation. 28,42 Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is rapid, safe, cheap, and reliable diagnostic tool for such lesions and it may obviate the need for future biopsy.…”

“…The diagnostic appearance is that of a scolex with four suckers and a double row of hooklets. 40,41 Mitochondrial DNA analysis of extremely calcified cysts in a histological specimen has also been used to diagnose intramuscular cysticercosis. 45 …”

Isolated Muscular Cysticercosis: A Rare Pseudotumor and Diagnostic Challenge, can It be treated Nonoperatively? A Report of Two Cases and Review of Literature

“…3 Isolated muscular involvement is a rare finding 4 and because of the nonspecific symptoms, isolated soft tissue cysticercosis is very difficult to diagnose. 5 Till date there are only handfull cases [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] of isolated muscular cysticercosis are reported. We are reporting here two cases of isolated myocysticercosis which produced diagnostic dilemma on clinical presentation, accurately diagnosed by ultrasound and MRI examination and successfully treated noninvasively with oral antihelmenthic medication and steroid combination.…”