Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
05:39
Surgical Transplantation of Tumor Cells into the Spinal Cord of Mice
Published on: December 27, 2024
Isolated intramedullary spinal cord cysticercosis
Shubhangi V Agale1, Shweta Bhavsar, Barnik Choudhury
1Department of Pathology, Grant Medical College, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Asian Journal of Neurosurgery
|August 8, 2012
Summary
This case study highlights spinal cord neurocysticercosis, a rare parasitic infection, in a mentally impaired adult. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of this spinal mass lesion.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Spinal neurocysticercosis is a rare parasitic infection caused by the larval cysts of the tapeworm Taenia solium.
- It can present as a spinal mass lesion, often mimicking other neurological conditions.
Observation:
- A 38-year-old mentally impaired male presented with progressive lower limb weakness and stiffness.
- Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an intradural, intramedullary lesion at the D10-11 level causing spinal cord compression.
- Surgical removal revealed a cysticercus cyst consistent with neurocysticercosis.
Findings:
- Microscopic examination confirmed the presence of a cysticercus cyst within the spinal cord.
- The lesion was a cystic mass with a nodule, measuring 1.5x1x0.8 cm.
- The cyst had a well-defined plane with the surrounding neural tissue.
Implications:
- Spinal neurocysticercosis should be included in the differential diagnosis of spinal mass lesions, particularly in endemic areas like India.
- This case underscores the importance of considering parasitic infections in neurological presentations.
- Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention are essential for managing spinal cord compression due to neurocysticercosis.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Spinal Cord: Gross Anatomy
The spinal cord resides within the protective confines of the vertebral column. It is the main pathway for information traveling between the brain and the body. It plays a fundamental role in nearly all bodily functions, from simple reflexes to complex motor movements. The spinal cord begins at the medulla oblongata at the base of the brainstem and extends downward, terminating at the conus medullaris near the first and second lumbar vertebrae. The spinal cord's length in adults is...
01:26Brain Abscess l: Introduction
A brain abscess is a focal, intracerebral infection characterized by a localized collection of pus within the brain parenchyma, resulting from microbial invasion and the body’s inflammatory response. It progresses through stages: early and late cerebritis, followed by early and late capsule formation, reflecting tissue destruction, immune response, and eventual encapsulation.Etiology and PathogenesisCausative organisms vary with source and host factors, often involving polymicrobial infections,...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...