Racemose variant of neurocysticercosis: a case report

Neurocysticercosis is an important parasitic disease of the central nervous system and constitutes a public health challenge for most of the developing world. Radiological findings may be quite variable. A 50 year old man presented with recent onset generalized tonic-clonic seizures. CT scan revealed a lobulated cystic lesion in the right fronto-temporal lobe compressing the lateral and third ventricle and upper brainstem. Clinico-radiological diagnosis of right fronto-temporal space occupying lesion with possibility of cystic glioma was made. He underwent craniotomy with cyst decompression and excision of cyst wall. Histopathology showed features of Racemose variant of Neurocysticercosis. This is an uncommon variant of neurocysticercosis characterized by extraparenchymal involvement, an aggressive clinical course and requiring surgical management. This case is being presented because of its rare occurrence and potential diagnostic difficulties on clinico-radiological grounds.