Intramuscular cysticercosis diagnosed on ultrasonography in thigh: A rare case report

Cysticercosis is an infection with the larval (cysticercus) stage of Taenia solium. It is difficult to diagnose cysticercosis on ultrasonography. Ultrasonography was done on Logiq 500 Pro machine with convex probe at 3.5 MHz frequency and diagnosed as cysticercosis with surrounding inflammation in the right vastus medialis muscle of thigh with a linear probe at 9.6 MHz frequency. In this case, we are discussing the role of high resolution sonography which helped in non-invasive diagnosis and treatment.

A 12 years old male patient presented with a swelling on the medial aspect of the right thigh. There was complaint of pain in the right thigh for the last one week with history of fever since three days. On local examination, a single swelling of size approximately 4x5 cm in the right medial aspect of thigh was present. On ultrasonography there was a well defined isolated cystic lesion of size 3.3 × 2.5 cm intermuscular area. We have successfully managed the patient conservatively with albendazole and steroids only.

We conclude that intermuscular cystic swelling in thigh can be diagnosed on high resolution sonography with a great confidence to manage it conservatively. Cost of investigations also reduced. Ultrasonography plays an important role. Child is doing well in follow-up.