Korean J Spine.  2014 Sep;11(3):205-208. 10.14245/kjs.2014.11.3.205.

Lumbar Intradural Neurocysticercosis: A Case Report

• Han SB
• Kwon HJ
• Choi SW
• Koh HS
• Kim SH
• Song SH
• Youm JY

• KMID: 1885681
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/kjs.2014.11.3.205

Abstract

Cysticercosis is the most common parasitic disease affecting the central nervous system. Spinal involvement is rare in neurocysticercosis, and isolated spinal involvement without evidence of cranial involvement is even rarer. We report an unusual case of neurocysticercosis with isolated spinal involvement. A 59 year-old male presented with radiating pain in the left leg. He complained of aggravating weakness and numbness in the left leg since his previous visit one month ago. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple peripheral wall-enhanced intradural cystic masses from L1 to L5. The patient underwent a total laminectomy of L4. Dissection revealed abnormal cystic masses compressing the nerve roots. The cyst was punctured, spilling clear mucoid fluid into the surgical field. The exposed cysticerci, white and mucoid, was easily removed. Patient received course of steroids and oral albendazole. The patient experienced symptomatic improvement without further neurologic deficits except for mild sensory impairment. Clinicians should include spinal neurocysticercosis in differential diagnosis of radiculopathies. Although isolated spinal neurocysticercosis is rare, it can be satisfactorily managed with surgery and medication.

Keyword

Neurocysticercosis; Cysticercosis; Spine; Intradural

MeSH Terms

Albendazole
Central Nervous System
Cysticercosis
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Hypesthesia
Laminectomy
Leg
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Neurocysticercosis*
Neurologic Manifestations
Parasitic Diseases
Radiculopathy
Spine
Steroids
Albendazole
Steroids