Intramedullary spinal cord neurocysticercosis presenting as Brown-Séquard syndrome

Abstract

Background: Cysticercosis is a parasitic disease caused by the larval stage of . Involvement of the central nervous system by this tapeworm is endemic in developing countries. However, isolated spinal involvement by is uncommon and having clinical presentation of Brown-Séquard syndrome is even rarer. Case presentation: A 43-year-old male who came to the emergency department with clinical presentation of complete Brown-Séquard syndrome. Computed tomography scan of the brain was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging of the thoracic spine revealed an intramedullary mass of the spinal cord at C-7/T-l level. Patient underwent surgery that revealed a cystic lesion and was resected. Histopathological report confirmed the diagnosis of neurocysticercosis. Postoperatively, oral steroid therapy and a four week course of albendazol were administered. Conclusions: Intramedullary neurcysticercosis represents a diagnostic challenge and should be considered in intramedullary lesions in settings where is endemic. Clinical, pathophysiological and diagnostic aspects of spinal cord intramedullary neurocysticercosis are discussed.