A Case of Racemose Cysticercus Infection

ABSTRACT

Racemose cysticercosis, which is almost exclusively found in intracranial cavity in vary rare occasions, was recognized in a 54-year-old Korean woman. Brain CT revealed a large lobated cystic mass without marginal enhancement, in the right frontotemporal lobe, together with irregularly distributed calcified spots in the parietal area. A 5x6x7cm sized irregularly lobated mass in the subarachnoid space, containing 38ml of xanthochromic fluid was removed. Pathologically the cyst was a racemose cysticercus without scolex. The serum and CSF of the patient showed positive reaction with antigen of Cysticercose celluosae by micro-ELISA for their specific IgG antibody. After the surgery, the patient was treated with Praziquantel for remaining worms(as revealed by calcified spots on brain CT). Follow-up examinations showed improvement in both clinical symptoms and brain CT findings, but Cysticercus-specific IgG antibody level did not fall to normal for 1 year. The rarity of racemose cysticercus infection, together with evidences of concomitant occurrence with C. cellulosae warranted one's case report.