Disseminated cysticercus involving the vocal cords

Abstract

Cysticercosis is a larval form of human infection by taenia solium. It develops in subcutaneous tissues, muscles, visceras, and most importantly as brain and eye infections. In developing countries, it is the leading cause of fits. The involvement of vocal cords is a rare finding.

Keywords: Cysticercosis, magnetic resonance imaging

How to cite this article:
Hashmi M A, Sharma S K, Bera S P, Saha B. Disseminated cysticercus involving the vocal cords. Ann Trop Med Public Health 2008;1:66-7

 

How to cite this URL:
Hashmi M A, Sharma S K, Bera S P, Saha B. Disseminated cysticercus involving the vocal cords. Ann Trop Med Public Health [serial online] 2008 [cited 2020 Aug 9];1:66-7. Available from: https://www.atmph.org/text.asp?2008/1/2/66/50688

 

Introduction

Cysticercosis is one of the most important parasites and is a leading cause of multiorgan infections. Involvement of the central nervous system, subcutaneous tissues, and orbits are very common. We are presenting an infection of the vocal cords by cysticercus, which is a rare finding. Confirmatory diagnosis is usually done by histological examination from subcutaneous nodules.

Case Report

Our case is one of a 27-year-old male patient who was suffering from multiple subcutaneous nodules mainly over the forehead and neck and also had intramuscular nodules. He had hypertrophy of the deltoid and calf muscles. He had an episode of fits 3 years back and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed multiple, calcified, nodular and ring enhancing lesions scattered in the cerebral parenchyma suggestive of neurocysticerci [Figure 1]. A histopathological examination of subcutaneous nodules had revealed a small cyst containing a degenerated parasite suggestive of cysticercus. He also had difficulty with his vision in the right eye and a CT scan revealed a cyst involving the right orbit [Figure 2]. Recently, the patient had developed hoarseness of voice.

On clinical examination, the vocal cords were swollen bilaterally. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed cystic lesions involving both the vocal cords with similar lesions also involving subcutaneous planes histopathologically which had been suggested as cysticercus [Figure 3] and [Figure 4]. The patient was given treatment with mark improvement in his voice and resolution of the lesion.

Discussion

Cysticercosis is the infestation by cysticercus cellulosae, the larval form of the pork tapeworm taenia solium. It is contracted by the ingestion of uncooked pork, vegetables, or water contaminated with the eggs of taenia solium. Sites of involvement are the central nervous system, subcutaneous tissues, skeletal muscles, heart muscles, and eyes. [1],[7] An unusual location in soft tissue is a rare finding. [2],[3],[4]

In nervous system infections, the larvae undergoes a series of changes from the first stage, which is a larval infection and not usually imagined. MRI manifestations of neurocysticerosis vary with the stages of the disease. There are 4 stages: live innocuous cyst, early degenerating stage, cysticercus granuloma, and healing lesions. [6] The final stage is the calcified stage, which describes complete involution of the lesion with continued mineralization. Presentation in soft tissues can be cystic, degenerative, or as a calcified nodule.

Due to the diverse clinical spectrum, neurocysticercus poses a complex diagnostic and treatment dilemma. The management of extraocular muscle cysticercosis [5] has undergone a radical change, with successful results of a medical alternative to surgical excision of the cysts in the form of albendazole and praziquantel along with oral corticosteroids, [6] which have been found to be very effective. Our patient also did well with medical treatment.

References

 

1. Kundra R, Kundra SN. Uniocular ptosis due to cysticercosis of extraocular muscle. Indian J Pediatr 2004;71:181-2.
2. Myint K, Mon S, Dhillon B, Singh G, Elangoven JK, Prasanth S. A rare ophthalmic presentation of neurocysticercosis. Neuro Ophthalmol 2006;30:75-8.
3. Inamadar AC, Yelikar BR. Cysticercosis cellulose cutis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 2001;67:198-9.
4. Smiti S, Sripathi H, Naik L. Unusual location of cysticercus lesions in soft tissue report of three cases. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2003;13:157-8.
5. Mehdi G, Ansari HA, Akhtar K, Shukla M. Ocular manifestations of cysticercosis: A case report. Indian J Pathol Microbiol 2007;50:345-6.
6. Sihota R, Sharma T. Albendazole therapy for a recurrent orbital hydatid cyst. Indian J Ophthalmol 2000;48:142-3.
7. Khandelwal S, Sakhi P, Sharma GL, Saxena UD. Intraventricular cysticerus. Indian J Radiol Imaging 2002;12:329-32.

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None

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DOI: 10.4103/1755-6783.50688

Figures

[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3], [Figure 4]

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