Intramedullary Neurocysticercosis

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An 80-year-old man from the Brazilian Midwest presented with tetraparesis with brachial predominance and hyperreflexia with 1 year of evolution.In investigation, cervical MRI showed intramedullary cystic formation (4.6 × 1.7 × 1.3 cm), and brain MRI was suggestive of neurocysticercosis (Figure 1).CT of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis and endoscopy and colonoscopy were normal.CSF showed hyperproteinorachia (113 mg/dL).The excision of the lesion of the spinal cord was uneventful, and the anatomopathological examination was compatible with neurocysticercosis (Figure 2).Slight improvement in paresis was noted on reassessment after 2 weeks, when albendazole (15 mg/kg/d) and corticosteroids were started for 4 weeks.This rare presentation of neurocysticercosis (Taenia solium) corresponds to 1%-3% of cases. 1 Infectious etiologies should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal cord syndromes, mainly in emerging countries, where Dr. there is precarious basic sanitation and contact with contaminated water and food. 2