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Updated: Jun 16, 2026
02:30
Endoscopic Approach for Colloid Cyst Resection
Published on: May 23, 2025
Recurrent primary spinal subarachnoid neurocysticercosis
Jae-Won Jang1, Jung-Kil Lee, Jae-Hyun Lee
1Department of Neurosurgery, Chonnam National University Medical School and Research Institute of Medical Sciences, Gwangju, Korea.
Spine
|February 2, 2010
Summary
This case study highlights a rare instance of recurrent primary spinal subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (NCC). Successful treatment involved surgical decompression and medical therapy, leading to a symptom-free outcome for the patient.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Spinal subarachnoid neurocysticercosis (NCC) is typically secondary to larval migration but can present as a primary infection.
- Untreated spinal NCC carries a high risk of recurrence and significant neurological complications.
Observation:
- A 50-year-old woman with a history of spinal NCC presented with recurrent back and radicular pain.
- Lumbar MRI revealed a cystic lesion with enhancement at L4-S1, indicative of NCC.
Findings:
- Surgical removal of the cyst was performed, followed by 30 days of albendazole therapy.
- Histopathology confirmed a cysticercal cyst, and the patient remained symptom-free for one year post-surgery without recurrence.
Implications:
- This case underscores the importance of considering primary spinal subarachnoid NCC in the differential diagnosis of spinal intradural cysts.
- A combined surgical and medical approach is effective for treating recurrent primary spinal NCC, preventing recurrence and neurological morbidity.
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