Cysticercosis natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Complications

Intestinal Tapeworm infection

Tapeworm can grow inside the digestive tract and reach a length of 30 feet. It can cause obstruction at various sites in the GIT as:

• Appendix
• Bile duct
• Pancreatic duct

CNS cysticercosis (15)

• Seizures
• Neurological deficits
• Hydrocephalus (80%)
• Cerebral infarcts (64%)
• Mental disorders (43%)

Ocular cysticercosis

Cysticerci can be located anywhere in the orbit .. in the retina, subretinal, in the vitreous, anterior chamber or even in the extraocular muscles. Many patients go asymptomatic while others may have:

• Chorioretinitis
• Retinal detachment
• Blindness in advanced cases after 3-5 years (16)

Prognosis

• Prognosis differs from patient to patient and depends on the site and number of cysts.
• On neuromimaging, single ring enhancing lesion is associated with better prognosis. (17)